Leeds United are relaxed about the future of director of football Victor Orta, amid reports linking him with a move away.
That is according to Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton, who was speaking to GiveMeSport about the latest news from Elland Road during the international break.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea have discussed the possibility of adding Orta to the club’s transfer hierarchy after RB Salzburg’s Christoph Freund turned down the opportunity to join the west London club as he decided to stay with the Austrian Bundesliga side.
Chelsea are also looking at Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten for the role, but Orta remains on Todd Boehly’s shortlist as well.
However, Thornton says that despite the rumoured interest from Chelsea, Leeds are not panicking over the situation surrounding their director of football as of yet.
He said: “I think Victor, first of all, he’s really well thought of at Leeds.
“He’s quite influential at the club, he’s loved by all the staff, he’s a great character and he’s got a fantastic knowledge of players from all across Europe, from all across the world.
“When you’re somebody who’s got a good track record and you’ve done well, then you will attract interest from elsewhere.
“But I think Leeds are quite calm about the situation.
“Victor has been a big part of what Leeds have achieved over the last sort of few years.”
TIF Thoughts on Thornton’s comments…
We think that whilst publicly Leeds are remaining relaxed about the future of Orta, it will no doubt be a worry that he could possibly jump ship to Chelsea in the near future.
The director of football has been instrumental in numerous big decisions at the club, including the appointments of both Marcelo Bielsa and current head coach Jesse Marsch.
We therefore think that the club needs to establish Orta’s position as quickly as possible, so they can start searching for potential replacements if he is to leave the club.