Spaniard Alfonso Pedraza was a surprise name to be linked to Leeds United during the January transfer window, but linked he was and arrive he did.
The highly rated Spanish winger came from La Liga side Villareal via CD Lugo, with Leeds paying his parent side Villareal a loan severance agreement of €300,000, which Villareal paid to CD Lugo as recompense for his loan ending early at the La Liga 2 side.
Whilst on loan at Galician side CD Lugo, the young Spaniard, who can play across the front three positions, made 22 La Liga 2 appearances, scoring six times and setting up a further eight assists.
He signed on loan for Leeds United on the understanding that promotion to the Premier League would kick in an automatic purchase option in the region of €10 million. Sadly, promotion didn’t arrive, and Alfonso Pedraza returned to his parent club.
However, as the following tweet shows, he hasn’t been forgotten by the national side, receiving a call-up to the Under-21 squad for the Under-21 Euro tournament in Poland.
OFICIAL | Además, los siguientes jugadores trabajarán con los convocados #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/yNIzDLIwVS
— Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) May 19, 2017
Pedraza himself responded to that tweet showing him included in La Selección with the following tweet to his personal Twitter feed.
Contento por estar convocado para los entrenamientos de la @SeFutbol sub21 🇪🇸💪
Happy for being called up for the trainings with spain U21 pic.twitter.com/Q8DAp10qCV
— Alfonso Pedraza Sag (@Alfonsopedraza9) May 20, 2017
Whilst at Leeds United, Pedraza featured in 14 games for Leeds whilst on loan at the West Yorkshire club, scoring the one goal for the Whites in a 3-1 away win against Birmingham City.
Whilst not proving to be Messi-like in his time at Elland Road, there was evidence of his quick feet, good ball control and ability to drive up the park that has marked him out as a highly rated youngster.
Leeds fans began to see something in the young left-wing, and some of these fans have commented on his post celebrating his international call up.
Leeds United fans comment on Alfonso Pedraza tweet about Under-21 call up
Congrats 👍👍👍
— PJH LUFC (@pistol1603) May 20, 2017
Simple congratulations from this Leeds United fan on Pedraza’s achievement.
Good luck pal we'd LOVE to see you back next season #alaw #mot
— Bielsa's Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) May 20, 2017
Colin, like Paul (below), is hoping that the young Spaniard will return to Elland Road next season for a full season on loan at the Whites.
Keep fit and see you back at Elland Road in July. 🙂
— Paul G (@LPP2014) May 20, 2017
As well as Paul and Colin, it seems that most Leeds United fans commenting and passing on their congratulations are hoping that fans get another chance to see him back in a Leeds shirt next season.
Good luck Alf, hope to see you back at Elland road next season.
— Lee Couling (@LeeCouling) May 20, 2017
https://twitter.com/333doc1/status/865891851781509120
There has been talk in certain publications that Villareal may be willing to loan out the youngster again, rather than allow him to stagnate whilst struggling to break into the multi-faceted Villareal side. Spanish publication El Periódico Mediterráneo hinted that this is a distinct possibility saying that Pedraza was “waiting to know his immediate future ahead of the next campaign, whether he stays in the first team or another new assignment in order to carry on progressing,” in his football career.
