Victor Orta making plans to fix left-back issue as agent confirms Leeds Utd links to top Serie A talent

Leeds director of football Victor Orta is hoping to soon find a solution to the club’s long-standing left-back issues amid claims they are considering a January move to sign Empoli star Fabiano Parisi.

The Whites made a total of nine new signings in the summer window, with Luis Sinisterra, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams all costing fees above £20m. However, with Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha leaving, the club’s net spend in 2022 leaves them 17th on a list of 20 Premier League clubs.

Despite strengthening their squad options, Leeds remain light in a couple of areas. Indeed, there remains concerns about their fanbase that they are still light in both attack and the left-back areas.

Their attacking issues were addressed – to a degree – on deadline day when a deal for Italy striker Wilfried Gnonto was agreed. However, given his tender years – Gnonto does not turn 19 until November – Leeds perhaps remain light up front.

Another well-documented issue is at left-back. Leeds signed Junior Firpo from Barcelona in a deal worth £12.9m in summer 2021. But despite his excellent pedigree, Firpo has struggled to find his best form at Leeds.

And with the player suffering an injury in the club’s first pre-season match, he is yet to feature in their first seven matches of the new season.

That has led to Pascal Struijk filling in at full-back. The centre-half, recently called up to the Netherlands squad for the first time, has performed admirably in the unfamiliar role.

Despite that, a longer-term solution, as well as cover and competition for Firpo, is very much still needed.

Now, according to reports in the Italian media, Leeds have joined the chase to sign Empoli left-back Parisi.

Fabiano Parisi agent confirms Leeds links

Parisi has been making waves in Serie A with Empoli since arriving in the summer of 2020.

He has made 48 league appearances in that time, scoring two goals. He has played every minute in Serie A so far this season for his side, scoring in the recent 1-1 draw at Lecce.

Indeed, that form has brought him to the attention of some bigger-hitting Serie A sides, with Atalanta and Fiorentina among those casting admiring glances his way.

Now his agent has confirmed Leeds are also looking at Parisi with a possible January swoop in mind.

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Mario Giuffredi admits Leeds are among those keen.

“Yes, the last few days of the market have been very hectic. I consider him [Parisi] a great team player, he can be the transfer man for January or for the summer. He is of the highest standard. He can aspire to important goals.

“We had many clubs, from Atalanta to Torino to Fiorentina, Leeds and Nice, also in agreement with Empoli.”

Leeds do need a new left-back

It’s been many a year since Leeds had a solid left-back who the club can really hang their hat on. Back in the day, the likes of Tony Dorigo and Ian Harte made the shirt their own for several seasons.

There’s been plenty of incumbents in recent seasons, with perhaps Charlie Taylor the most noteworthy player to emerge for Leeds in that position over recent seasons.

But even during their promotion from the Premier League, it’s a position they struggled in. Barry Douglas was signed, but never quite did enough merit keeping on once promotion was secured.

During their first season back up, the position was regularly filled by Gjanni Alioski. His free-transfer departure though left a void – and one which Firpo has struggled to fill.

Such was his inconsistency that Stuart Dallas has also filled in there frequently over the past few seasons. Currently injured, the Northern Irishman is expected back in first-team contention around Christmas time.

In the meantime, Leeds would do well to consider another specialist for that position. Whether Fabiano Parisi proves that man remains to be seen, but he’s certainly one to keep an eye on.

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