Leeds United have been handed a transfer blow as Ibai Gomez, who has been linked with the Whites, has joined Athletic Bilbao from Alaves.
The 29-year old was linked with a reunion with Marcelo Bielsa, having featured under the current Leeds boss at Athletic Bilbao, but has re-joined the Basque outfit on a deal that will see him remain with the club until 2022.
Gomez did not miss a single league game for Alaves in the first half of the season and managed three goals in 18 appearances for the side.
The Spaniard’s contract with Alaves was set to expire in the summer and he was a man in demand, but Athletic Bilbao moved quickest to make the deal happen.
Gomez previously had a five-year spell with Athletic Bilbao before his move to Alaves in the summer of 2016.
Leeds are expected to enter the transfer market this month after losing Samu Saiz and Lewis Baker.
But the Whites will not be able to put Gomez at Bielsa's disposal.
Bielsa has done a good job with the Leeds squad so far this season, but with promotion a real possibility, some fans are calling for owner Andrea Radrizzani to spend this month.
