Victor Orta selling Leeds dream again after ‘talks’ with mystery midfield kingpin

Victor Orta Leeds Elland Road TEAMtalk

Leeds United have quickly switched their attention to their “top target” this summer and have reportedly held talks with the player.

Victor Orta successfully sealed the signing of Barcelona full-back Junior Firpo this week.

Firpo, 24, revealed that he had plenty of other options, but after speaking with Orta his mind was made up on the £12.8m transfer.

Orta is understood to have flown out to Catalonia to put the club’s ideas across to Dominican-born defender.

“This summer for me, there was many clubs interested. But when Victor Orta spoke with me and showed me the project, I said ‘wow, this is interesting, they really want me’,” said left-back Firpo.

And the Leeds transfer chief is already on to his second task of the summer – landing a central midfielder.

And, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth talks with a unnamed player have taken place.

A move for the club’s “top target” has already been signed off by Marcelo Bielsa. It’s now time for Orta to produce his magic and sell the West Yorkshire dream.

The identity of the midfielder is unknown. The report claims Leeds “are tight lipped” and just as they managed to keep Firpo quiet they intend to do so again.

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The news of Firpo only broke around 10 days ago. By then though Leeds were well advanced in negotiations and confident of getting Firpo over the line.

Apparently at the moment “things are not at such an advanced stage as to be considered imminent”.


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Leeds tight lipped

Leeds are believed to have a couple of options as they look to add some depth to their midfield alongside Kalvin Phillips. The names of those interesting Orta and Bielsa though remain sworn to secrecy.

Bielsa has been hunting for a central midfielder since the Whites won promotion to the Premier League in July 2020.

Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Cuisance came close to signing last October.

The two clubs had agreed an £18million deal for the 21-year-old, who was set to pen a five-year contract.

The player also snubbed a late bid from a rival in order to complete his move to the Premier League. However, the transfer fell through at the 11th hour after the player failed a medical.

Leeds then pursued a deal for Raphinha instead with Bielsa reliant on Phillips, Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas.

READ MORE: Leeds given transfer green light for forward after learning lofty fee