Following the recent announcement that Luis Leon Sanchez will not be part of the Movistar squad in 2014, Ciclo21.com claims that the Spaniard is close to reaching an agreement with Caja Rural for the coming season. The webpage cites reliable sources that indicate the contract may already have been signed.

In early October, it was announced that Belkin had decided to buy out Luis Leon Sanchez of his contract with the Dutch team, referring to his many links to doping scandals as the main reason for the decision. Since then, the Spaniard's future has been up in the air but now a solution may have been found.

According to Ciclo21.com, Sanchez and Caja Rural are close to reaching an agreement that would see the Spaniard lead the professional continental team in 2014. Reliable sources have indicated that the negotiations are so advanced that the contract may already have been signed.

Sanchez got his 2013 season off to a difficult start when new information surfaced that linked him further with the Operacion Puerto doping scandal. Belkin - at the time known as Blanco - decided to put him on inactive status but following an appeal by Sanchez, the parties agreed to let him return to competition in the Tour of Belgium in May.

Sanchez wasn't selected for the Tour de France but won the queen stage of the Tour of Belgium and a stage in the Tour de l'Ain before lining up in the Vuelta a Espana. He abandoned due to hypothermia but went on to represent Spain in the world championships.

He has been linked with a move to his former Movistar team but last week, the Spanish squad announced their entire 27-rider roster which didn't include Sanchez. A move to Orica-GreenEDGE has also been rumoured, with Sanchez having a good relation with sports director Neil Stephens, but the Australian team apparently has no interest in signing the triple Tour de France stage winner.

A move to Caja Rural would make him the undisputed leader of the team and would allow him to contest all the major Spanish races, a number of international races and, most importantly, the Vuelta a Espana that is likely to invite Spain's only pro continental team. The team is currently led by climbers like David Arroyo and Amets Txurruka who will both stay onboard in 2014.

The team has announced the signings of Peio Bilbao, Angel Madrazo, Luis Mas, Davide Vigano and Heiner Parra while Antonio Molina and Fernando Grijalba will turn professional with the Spanish squad.