Orta discusses why Leeds did not sign £8m midfield move
Victor Orta has told the Yorkshire Evening Post that Leeds chose not to sign Huddersfield midfielder Lewis O’Brien – due to a different in valuation.
O’Brien, 22, was strongly linked with a move to Leeds from Championship side Huddersfield throughout the latter stages of the transfer window.
His form for Carlos Corberan’s side caught Leeds’ attention. His 86 games for the Terriers sees him considered one of the best in the Championship.
Leeds need a midfielder – lacking in options in the middle. Instead, the Whites have brought in Dan James from Manchester United for £25million.
O’Brien, despite being out of contract next summer, has remained at Huddersfield. Orta explains that Leeds chose not to pay his £8m fee (YEP).
“It was a different valuations,” Orta told the YEP. “I respect these kind of things, they happen in football.
“You have one idea, the club owning the player has another idea. If it matches, perfect, if not they have to continue and you have to continue.”
Orta on O’Brien: £8million would have been a Leeds bargain
The lack of options in the middle of the park for Leeds made O’Brien an important signing. The Whites need cover for Mateusz Klich and others.
Klich and Stuart Dallas are options in front of Kalvin Phillips, while Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo play in the more attacking position in midfield.
But Dallas is being used at left-back at the moment and Klich has been in and out of the side. O’Brien would have been ideal.
Young and still able to be moulded by Bielsa, O’Brien would have been excellent. He would have also been more than open to sitting on the bench.
So, at £8million, Leeds should have bit the bullet and brought him in.
