Victor Orta slammed over Junior Firpo transfer

TeamTalk editor James Marshment has slammed Leeds United director of football Victor Orta for signing Junior Firpo instead of Marc Cucurella last season.

Ahead of the past campaign, the Whites splashed about £13m on the defender to sign him from from Barcelona on a four-year deal. However, at the same time, Brighton paid £15.4m to bring in the Spanish left-back from La Liga outfit Getafe.

Firpo struggled in his first season, while Cucurella has shone so brightly he is now linked with a big-money move to Manchester City this summer as a result.

Taking that into account, Marshment has slammed Orta for his inability to identify the right signing. While speaking on the JUSTJOE FOOTBALL SHOW, he made his feelings known.

He said (49:00): “I referred last week to Marc Cucurella at Brighton. They signed him for 15 and a half million pounds from Getafe.

“Now I’ve got a problem with Orta not doing that business for Leeds, and spending like 14 million instead on Junior Firpo. I think he got that so badly wrong.”

TIF thoughts on Leeds and Victor Orta…

Do Leeds need a new left-back this summer?

Yes

No

Considering Brighton simply had to trigger Cucurella’s release clause to get that transfer over the line, Orta clearly had the chance to do the same with Leeds if he really wanted to sign the Spanish defender. The fact that they spent a similar amount of money on Firpo suggests they could have afforded the transfer too.

Add to that the point that both left-backs were playing in La Liga at the same time, so there’s no reason as to why the Leeds’ scouts would have not spotted the talent of Cucurella.

In the end though, Firpo’s debut campaign will be remembered largely for his poor discipline – where he reached double figures with regard to picking up yellow cards – while the Brighton left-back could now been playing for Premier League winners Man City after impressing so much.

Taking it all into account, it’s not hard to see why Marshmen has vented his anger at Orta.

1 of 10

Who was sent off in his first game as captain?

Give us feedback

Leeds United: James Marshment slams Victor Orta over Junior Firpo transfer

Do Leeds need a new left-back this summer?

Yes

No

Who was sent off in his first game as captain?