‘Orta is pretty good at this’ – Phil Hay makes Leeds claim for upcoming January window
Phil Hay has claimed that Leeds United and Victor Orta will have their eyes peeled for any opportunities that arise in the January market.
The Athletic journalist has admitted that it should be a quiet month at Elland Road and doesn’t expect much action in terms of transfers.
This latest admission suggests that Whites fans shouldn’t shut off the possibility of new signings, with there clear areas that need improving.
Speaking on the Phil Hay Show on Tuesday, he claimed that Orta will be keeping his eyes peeled for any potential bargains.
“If it was a quiet window, I think they’d be pretty happy,” he said.
“What I think they will do, and Orta is pretty good at this, they will be aware and have their eyes open for opportunities that come up that are too good to miss – like with Raphinha, who was suddenly made available.
“I think if something comes up they like, and something comes up that’s worth doing, regardless of whether it will be an immediate impact signing, they have shown before that they will do it.”
Hay namechecked Raphinha when discussing what could happen, with the move for the Brazilian coming out of nowhere in the final days of the summer window.
The two clear areas that need strengthening are left-back and the heart of midfield, with Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips having no out-and-out backup option.
The Polish international is one player who is starting to worry us, with the 6-2 defeat at Manchester United highlighting how tired he is looking against Premier League opposition.
Leeds nearly solved that problem in the summer, but their move for Michael Cuisance collapsed and he eventually made the switch to Marseille from Bayern Munich.
The Whites have reportedly kept track of Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez, with El Intransigente claiming it would cost £36.1million.
At that price, we don’t expect this move to happen, but Orta will be ready to pounce should that valuation drop at any point next month.
In other Leeds United news, Whites plot January move for Adama Traore as Wolves become frustrated with contract talks
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