Marcelo Bielsa is watching one of his former players, and is looking to reunite with Roma striker Ezequiel Ponce at Leeds United, according to ClubCall.
Striker Ezequiel Ponce is currently on loan at Greek side AEK Athens from Italian giants Roma, and Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa reportedly sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in the Athens Derby between AEK Athens and rivals Panathinaikos last Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa is looking at bringing in another striker to reinforce The Whites’ attacking options in the January transfer window, with Patrick Bamford out injured for an extended amount of time, leaving Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts the only remaining senior strikers available for selection.
Ponce made his breakthrough in Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys – a side who have produced the likes of Argentinian legends Gabriel Batistuta, Walter Samuel, and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi. He made his debut as a 16-year-old against Quilmes, before scoring his first goal against Racing Club in March 2014. His rise at Newell’s Old Boys saw him compared to Argentina’s second top scorer Gabriel Batistuta.
Ponce swapped Argentina for Italy in 2015, when he joined Serie A giants Roma. The striker hasn’t made a single first team appearance for La Lupa, and has spent loan spells in Spain with Granada and had a season with Lille in Ligue 1, where he was managed by Leeds United’s Bielsa.
The Argentinian has made an impressive start to life in the Greek capital, where he has netted five times in eight Greek league appearances.
The youngster has not lived up to his title as the “next Batistuta” at all yet, but the attacker clearly possesses serious talent. If Bielsa can get the best out of Ponce, Leeds United fans could have a new club hero on their hands.
