Report: Victor Orta jets off to Italy to thrash out deal, and bring midfielder to Leeds

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Italian newspaper Centro Trentuno claim that Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta has flown to Sardinia to sign Nahitan Nandez. The Cagliari midfielder has now finished competing in Copa America with Uruguay. The report claims Orta has flown out, and a deal could be close.

Nandez, 25, has been excellent for Cagliari over the past two seasons. Joining from Boca Juniors in the summer of 2019, the Uruguay international has played 72 times for the Serie A side – helping them stay in Serie A. This summer, he also impressed for Uruguay – who reached the last eight.

That is, despite playing as a midfielder and at right-back. Leeds have been strongly linked with Nandez, with La Nuova Sardegna saying Nandez is ‘destined’ to join Leeds – with the Whites ready to pay £26million. Now, the latest report delivers an intriguing update in the race for Nandez.

The report says that Orta, along with some other Leeds emissaries, have jetted into Sardinia in order to strike a deal for Nandez. It is believed that negotiations could deliver an answer in the ‘next few hours’. The relationship between club owners is ‘excellent’.

Nandez is the ideal midfield signing for Leeds, as Orta jets in

That is because he is a Marcelo Bielsa-type player. Nandez can play as a tricky 10, taking the ball on the turn and feeding the attackers. His best role is as an eight, where Stuart Dallas and Mateusz Klich are currently used. Nandez would also more than decent cover for Kalvin Phillips.

This summer, he has been a right-back with Uruguay. So, that is four crucial positions – all of which need additions. Luke Ayling no longer has back-up at right-back, though Cody Drameh is impressing for the 23’s. If Leeds can get Nandez for less than £30million, then they should sign him.