Victor Orta may not bring in new striker for Leeds United until after Wolves showdown
Victor Orta is expected to press the button on a new Leeds United record transfer for a striker, according to Beren Cross on Tuesday (26 July).
The reliable journalist did report, however, that it may not happen until after the first Premier League game of the season against Wolves in less than two weeks.
Charles De Ketelaere, Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo are all named as three possible options, but nothing is described as being advanced already.
Writing in his latest column for Leeds Live, Cross shared an insight into everything transfers at Elland Road as the new season quickly approaches.
“Charles De Ketelaere is the saga which is dragging on,” he wrote. “Last week, Jesse Marsch admitted the chase was not over, but there was a growing expectation the Whites would have to move on to other targets.
“French strikers Martin Terrier and Arnaud Kalimuendo remain of interest to Leeds, but moves are not advanced with either of them. Time will tell whether either proves to be the forward Orta pushes the button on, but there remains a possibility Leeds wait until after the season starts before making a call on who they want.
“The Whites know they are likely to break their record transfer fee with the striker they go after. They want to ensure they take their time in identifying the correct player for their desired profile.”
Desperate.
Do we really have the luxury of waiting?
Patrick Bamford will likely start leading the line against Wolves, with Rodrigo and Joe Gelhardt on the bench unless Jesse Marsch starts with two up front.
Then it will leave limited striker options off the bench, and to say we have made this our priority all summer, the lack of process is annoying, to say the least.
It all comes off the back of waiting for De Ketelaere, who in the end isn’t even likely to sign, and will probably end up at AC Milan somehow, despite their lack of finances.
Then it will leave Orta scrambling, and he may have to press the button much quicker than he would like, and for a striker who wasn’t even his first choice.
A record deal has been thrown around for a long time now, and it has got fans excited, it would be a real kick in the teeth if the new striker came in on the cheap – it simply wouldn’t be acceptable.
We hope for more progress soon, we have less than two weeks.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites now want to sign this striker with a rival set to kickstart a major £30million+ transfer battle