Report: Victor Orta turns down chance to lure free agent to Leeds

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The Daily Mirror have claimed that Leeds United’s director of football Victor Orta has been given the chance to sign Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala on a free transfer – but Orta has chosen to reject the potential signing.

Ayala, 29, has clocked up a whopping 216 appearances for Middlesbrough since joining the Teesside club six years ago. Now, the former Liverpool youth player is out of contract at the Riverside – and will become a free agent.

The Spaniard has left Middlesbrough after turning down the chance to finish the season at the Riverside – meaning he will be a free agent from July 1. Ayala’s agent has approached Orta over a move to Elland Road.

Ayala has been linked with Leeds on numerous occasions, with Orta knowing Ayala and his agents well having worked at Boro before joining Leeds. But Orta has decided against completing a deal for the defender.

TBR’s view – Would Ayala have been good cover?

Leeds need central defenders and that is before the potential departure of Ben White, who remains on loan from Brighton and is likely to cost at least £20million in the upcoming summer market.

Ayala is not as good as captain Liam Cooper or White, but Leeds have little other options at centre-back. Gaetano Berardi is a top player, but he is out of contract at the end of the season and expected to leave.

Experienced in the Championship, 6ft 3in Ayala has only played one season in the Premier League – in which he was relegated with Boro. If Leeds get promotion, they can do a lot better.