Ex-Arsenal ace Fran Merida wanted by Championship leaders Leeds after scouts watch him for Osasuna
Much-travelled midfielder could return to England with Thomas Christiansen casting one eye on the Premier League
FORMER Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida is on Leeds United's radar.
The Championship leaders have sent scouts to watch the Spaniard play with Osasuna.
Merida is in his second season at Osasuna, who were relegated from La Liga last season.
The 27-year-old has made 25 appearances for them, scoring two goals.
Merida was a product of the Barcelona youth academy.
Then he joined the Arsenal set-up, where he spent five years.
He made only 16 first-team appearances but is remembered a stunning goal in a 2-1 League Cup win over Liverpool in October 2009.
Merida scoring from the edge of the area with the ball hitting the post on its way past goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri.
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He later bagged his first Premier League goal against Bolton Wanderers in a 2–0 success.
Merida moved to Atletico Madrid in 2010 but struggled to keep a first-team spot.
He has since played at Braga, Hercules, Atletico Paranaense and Huesca before ending up at Osasuna in 2016.
Leeds are going great guns, topping the table on goal difference.
But ambitious boss Thomas Christiansen is still looking to improve his side.
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