Reliable journo details Victor Orta stance as Leeds are linked with ex-PL player
Victor Orta has never seriously pursued a deal to sign Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala at Leeds United, according to journalist Beren Cross.
Writing on the LeedsLive website, Cross reported that Ayala, 29, is not going to be a target for the Whites in the next transfer window and director of football Orta isn’t keen.
Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope had reported that Ayala will not play for Boro in their remaining games this season with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Hope added that Leeds had shown an interested in the former Liverpool defender but based on Cross’ update, that is not entirely the case.
Ayala has been repeatedly linked with Leeds since the winter and it would make sense for him to be someone who emerged on Orta’s radar.
They’re both Spanish and worked together during Orta’s spell at the Riverside Stadium plus Leeds are bound to need a new centre-back or two ahead of next season.
Ben White’s loan expires at the end of the season while Gaetano Berardi could also be on his way as his contract ends this summer.
Liam Cooper might be left as the only natural centre-back option in Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team squad but it does not seem that Ayala will be brought in as a replacement for White or Berardi.
Ayala has played in the Premier League before for both Liverpool and Middlesbrough but it is not as though he set the world alight with his performances.
If Leeds want to stay up next season, they’ll need someone who is better than Ayala.
In other Leeds United news, fans are loving this image that Phil Hay has shared.