Leeds United could be tempted into signing record-breaking Gent striker Gift Orban as £17.6m price tag emerges
Leeds United could now be tempted into firming up their interest in Gent striker Gift Orban with a £17.6m price tag now mooted to secure his signature this summer.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs reported on 16 March that the Whites could be “in the equation” to make a run at signing the record-breaking Nigerian sensation at the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a tremendous breakthrough campaign in Belgium scoring 14 goals in just nine appearances for Gent since a January move and he has reportedly generated enough attention that Premier League money could allow Whites a clear run at him.
Orban broke the record for the fastest-ever hat trick in any UEFA competition on 15 March, in three minutes and 25 seconds in a 4-1 win over Turkish side Basaksehir, just three days after scoring four goals in a 6-2 Jupiler Pro League win at Zulte Waragem.
Fabrizio Romano, taking to his personal Twitter account [2 April] revealed that the 20-year-old is expected to depart Gent this summer and his price tag could be “more than €20m [£17.6m].”
Considering the money the club are throwing at trying to replace Bamford, the Whites will certainly be tempted by this latest development as Gift Orban holds the characteristics and abilities necessary to become a true household name at Elland Road.
14 goals and two assists having just signed for the club in January are incredible numbers and go to show why Orban is considered one of Europe’s most exciting breakout forwards this season.
Also, Leeds United are really building an exciting crop of young stars in West Yorkshire, having plucked their breakout star this season from outside of the big five European leagues in Willy Gnonto, and Orban holds similar attributes that seamlessly fit the frantic and frenetic atmosphere at the prestigious Leeds stadium.
With Barcelona teenager, Ilias Akhomach now on the brink of signing a four-year deal, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume that sporting director Victor Orta will be looking to build again from there by acquiring Orban, despite having spent big money on Georginio Rutter in January who is yet to set Elland Road alight so far.
Even with the club wrapped in a gut-wrenching relegation battle, they are still being linked with some of Europe’s most prestigious young talents. You can see why the club’s board is severely anxious to secure their status in the English top flight for next season.
£17.6m for a wonderkid like Orban is an opportunity you simply cannot pass up on.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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