Report: Orta tries transfer hijack, striker in advanced talks with Euro rivals over £20k/wk deal
Leeds United are making a late play for former Reading striker Danny Loader, who is in advanced talks with Porto over a free transfer.
The 19-year-old striker left Reading at the end of the season after coming up through the youth ranks with the Championship side.
The Mail claims that Victor Orta has “personally targetted” the forward and is now trying to complete a late swoop for the forward before he signs for Porto.
Porto are offering Loader a deal worth just under £20k-a-week in a three-year-deal, a sign of how highly they regard him.
Loader could fit (wage bill) at Leeds
A Leeds deal would work well for former club Reading – Leeds would have to pay compensation for Loader whereas Porto could get him for free.
However, it wouldn’t be much and it means Leeds are unlikely to be put off by the wages.
On the face of it, a move to the Premier League with Leeds looks sorely tempting, but the deal could come down to game time.
We can’t imagine that Loader would be the only striker reinforcement at Leeds this summer and that could put Loader down to number three at Leeds.
Loader has made 35 appearances for Reading and while it’s Premier League 2 where he’s been most prolific, he will be looking to make the step-up.
However, Leeds are a very progressive club at the moment and everything is in place to consolidate in the Premier League.
Bielsa has shown he’s not scared of using youth and if the England Under-20 is confident, he might well fancy trying to force his way into the reckoning at Leeds.
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