Leeds United turn down interest in Pablo Hernandez from Spanish outfit CD Castellon

Leeds United have reportedly turned down the advances of CD Castellon in a bid to sign Pablo Hernandez.

The playmaker - who is a co-owner and boyhood fan of the Spanish club - has previously stated his desire to retire with his hometown team at the end of a stellar playing career.

Castellon currently ply their trade in the Segunda Division, Spain's second tier, and were said to be keen on acquiring his services this month.

They have, though, been thwarted by the Whites and head coach Marcelo Bielsa's desire to keep him in West Yorkshire beyond the current winter transfer window deadline according to reports locally.

Hernandez has made just two starts in the Premier League this season and has cut a frustrated figure on the bench.

The Spaniard played a key role in the club's promotion back to the top flight after 16 years away last summer, scoring nine goals and claiming nine assists as Leeds lifted the Championship trophy by a 10-point margin.

Hernandez was briefly dropped from the first team squad earlier in the campaign following a negative reaction to being substituted in the Whites 4-1 defeat to Leicester City in November.

His only start since then has come in the FA Cup third round, where United were well beaten 3-0 by League Two outfit Crawley Town.

An injury to club record signing Rodrigo in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Foxes at the King Power may hand an opportunity to Hernandez in the immediate future.

The 35-year-old is halfway through his fifth full season at Elland Road having initially joined on loan from Al-Nasr at the start of the 2016-17 campaign and has 18 months left to run on his current deal.