OPINION
Leeds United fans are desperate for some positive transfer news and they’ll have been lifted by the news that Victor Orta has been “active” in the past few days.
That was the claim of the Sun’s transfer expert Alan Nixon on Wednesday. Nixon said that he would be sniffing around to try to dig out more details on who Leeds were looking to sign, and he returned with a little tidbit today.
Responding to a Leeds fan he claimed that Victor Orta was in the UK and this could mean that he’s looking at domestic players, with the transfer window ticking down and recruitment needed across three key positions.
Leeds have been linked with a number of players in the January window. There was said to be genuine interest in Steven Zuber, but he moved on loan to Stuttgart, ending that.
Rajiv van la Parra said that Leeds had been in contact with Huddersfield “immediately” after hearing he was available but Middlesbrough were more decisive and he announced his move to Teeside as soon as the window opened.
Ibai Gomez was another but he is now closing in on his return to Athletic Bilbao.
As for goalkeepers, while Karl Darlow is first choice, Newcastle want to sell for £4million and Leeds want to loan. It was even reported that Tottenham offered them Michel Vorm, but this wasn’t followed up on.
There’s still time to do deals but the pressure is on now, with a goalkeeper, winger and playmaker needed to put Leeds in a strong position to claim an automatic promotion spot.
This time last year Victor Orta was getting slammed by fans for not delivering. Since then, things have picked up sensationally, but this is crunch time again.
We think domestic deals would be preferable for Leeds. Players that have got experience of the Premier League or the Championship should bed in quicker and deals should be less complicated to complete.
The news that Orta is active and in the UK should give Leeds fans some hope that good transfer news will be incoming soon.
