Speak to anyone who follows Leeds United, and they will tell you the last few years are among the most exciting in modern history. The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa has paired up with a wonderful period of development. New signings have arrived on a regular basis, taking the club to a whole new level in terms of visibility and style. Under Bielsa, the Whites have played some of the most enterprising football not only in England but across Europe.

However, the most recent transfer window was a massive disappointment. The intended for arrivals did not turn up, and injury woes have left Leeds chasing their tail somewhat when it comes to their performance. This has left the team closer to relegation than Europe, and fears that some of the teams marquee players might begin to look at clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League.

One player who has been heavily linked with Leeds since promotion was that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The young Georgian winger has been making a name for himself in the Russian Premier League, scoring and assisting with regularity for Rubin Kazan. However, despite being linked with many clubs in the top five leagues in Europe, the Georgian international stayed put.

The player was keen to make a move to Leeds especially, but it looks like the deal was never as close as some would have hoped. With the player himself admitting he had spoken to Leeds, it sounds like a deal was at least explored. However, according to Rubin’s Director of Football Oleg Yarovinsky, the lack of a deal has left the player in low spirits.

What did Ole Yarovinsky say about Leeds signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

Speaking about the options that the Rubin winger had, a deal was never truly forthcoming. Speaking about the lack of ability to get a deal done to sell the player, Yarovinsky said: “One (of his suitors) is the top club in the Bundesliga, and two top clubs in the Premier League. If one of them came up with a final offer for Khvicha, we would sell him one hundred percent. But they didn’t,

“Khvicha is a super-talented football player who will definitely move to a top European club. I told him (in the summer transfer window); ‘If there is an offer, we will let you go.’ 

“I understand (why the player is annoyed at not getting to move). When you’ve watched these leagues in your childhood and you think that you have a real opportunity to go there, but no one comes for you, it’s very disappointing.”

Yarovinsky, though, was confident that a deal might take place in the future regarding the Georgian wing wizard. Asked about the future for the player and whether or not a move will take place in the future, the director said: “They will definitely come back for him. But it’s just that, the moment when (a dream transfer) doesn’t happen, it hits you hard.”