Championship leaders Leeds monitor former Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida

  • Leeds scouts have been sent to Osasuna to watch midfielder Fran Merida
  • The Spaniard spent five years at Arsenal after joining from Barcelona in 2005
  • Merida made only 16 first-team appearances for the Gunners before leaving

Leeds United are following former Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida after posting scouts at recent Osasuna games to watch the 27-year-old.

The Championship outfit have made an outstanding start to the season - topping the table on goal difference - but are still looking to improve their side.


The Spaniard is in his second season at Osasuna having been unable to prevent their relegation from La Liga last year.

Championship leaders Leeds have been monitoring Osasuna midfielder Fran Merida

Championship leaders Leeds have been monitoring Osasuna midfielder Fran Merida

Merida spent five years at Arsenal after leaving Barcelona as a teenager

Merida spent five years at Arsenal after leaving Barcelona as a teenager

He has made 25 appearances for the Spanish club, scoring twice.

Merida began his career at Barcelona before joining Arsenal's academy as a teenager, where he spent five seasons.

He made only 16 first-team appearances, scoring a stunning goal in a 2-1 League Cup win over Liverpool in October 2009 before leaving in 2010.

He moved to Atletico Madrid but struggled to nail down a first-team slot.

The midfielder has since played at Braga, Hercules, Atletico Paranaense and Huesca before sealing the move to Osasuna in 2016.

The Spaniard made 16 first-team appearances for the Gunners and scored twice

The Spaniard made 16 first-team appearances for the Gunners and scored twice