Leeds United’s Director of Football Victor Orta has done an outstanding job since taking over in 2017. He’s been key to some brilliant transfers that have fired the Whites back to the Premier League.
But the work is not yet complete. Orta still needs to strengthen the squad ahead of next season in order to cement Leeds as a top Premier League side.
Going into new campaign, Orta has a lot to do to get Marcelo Bielsa’s squad ready to again take the top flight by storm and Graham Smyth has revealed Orta’s plans for this transfer window.
Smyth, whilst writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post, disclosed the three positions United are wanting to address over the summer, the likelihood of landing their top targets and when the deals may be concluded with Leeds set to start their second season back in the top flight away to Manchester United on 14th August.
When discussing Orta’s vision for this summer, Smyth said: “Leeds United want a left-back, a central midfielder and a winger. No deals are imminent just yet. The Whites are quietly confident of landing their number one target when it comes to the left-back and are working towards that deal now, although face competition.”
In terms of the central midfielder position, Smyth also went on to reveal that Leeds may very well be happy with a loan deal whilst rubbishing rumours of Harrison Reed of Fulham joining the club: “There are options for the central midfield slot, including a permanent transfer and a loan deal, but Fulham’s Harrison Reed, one of the most recent names to be linked with an Elland Road move, is not on the list of likely targets. Leeds hope to get the midfielder done relatively quickly.”
As for the winger, well that’s likely to be resolved late in the window according to Smyth as the market takes shape with a lot of potential movement with regards to attacking players around Europe: “The signing of a winger may go a little further into the window, which doesn’t close until August 31, with potential market movement elsewhere still to fall into place and a final decision to be taken on who it is Leeds want to fill that vacancy.”
A potential target could be Noa Lang of Club Brugge however Orta won’t stop at the first team. He’s apparently set to strengthen the Under 23s as well. This may be why Leeds have been linked with the likes of Sean McGurk and Leo Hjelde in recent days.
