The potential million-dollar signing of Wilfredo León by Halkbank Ankara in Turkey has sparked criticism in Poland, where former national team setter Paweł Zagumny believes that leaving the Polish league could hinder the Cuban-Polish volleyball player's preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
"Considering the type of player León is, for me it would be a very strange move for him to leave," stated Zagumny on the program Misja Sport, as reported this Wednesday by the portal Sport.pl, according to Przegląd Sportowy Onet.
The transfer, however, is still not confirmed. León remains linked to Bogdanka LUK Lublin, while neither his current club nor Halkbank Ankara have announced an official agreement.
The former player questioned the competitive level of the Turkish championship and its ability to keep León in the best physical condition.
"It is known that this is not a league that takes care of the players in terms of fitness. The money is there, everything is there, but the rest is somewhat below the level of our clubs," he stated.
Zagumny also warned that the Cuban might encounter a setter who does not match his playing style, as he believes happened to the Polish player Tomasz Fornal during his time in Turkey.
"I believe that to prepare well for the Games, you need to play in a strong league," he insisted, although he acknowledged that the supposed signing might still be part of the contractual negotiations.
The statements come after Polish media revealed an offer from Halkbank Ankara of approximately 1.5 million euros net per season, a figure that would make León the highest-paid volleyball player in the world.
According to Przegląd Sportowy Onet, the agreement would cover a season, 2027-2028, with an option for renewal, and bonuses ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 euros for titles won.
The Polish newspaper Fakt reported, citing a person close to the athlete, that the final decision could be known in December and that Japan is also among his options.
According to that version, León is seeking a competition that is less demanding than the Polish one in order to reduce physical strain and arrive in better condition for Los Ángeles 2028.
The debate coincides with one of the major sporting moments for the attacker born in Santiago de Cuba. In September, he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of EuroVolley 2026, after leading Poland to victory against France for the European title, a win that secured his team's qualification for the Olympics.
León, who also won the Nations League with Poland in 2026, has among his main goals to win the Olympic gold medal, after having obtained the silver medal in Paris 2024.
After the recent Polish Supercup, the player himself refrained from confirming his future: "The family situation is already clear. My wife knows what matters to me. There is no discussion about whether it's here or there. We just need to wait a little."
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