Victor Orta wanted West Ham United player Pablo Fornals at Leeds United while the club’s sporting director, with Fornals now attracting interest from Orta’s Sevilla in Spain – as well as Real Betis.
Fornals has spent the last four years at West Ham having joined the club from Villarreal in the summer of 2019 – costing the Hammers £24m. He is closing in on 200 games, just six shy of reaching that figure.
Having a hand in 42 goals for West Ham, Fornals has won caps for Spain and of course, won the Europa Conference League. Estadio Deportivo say Orta wanted Fornals at Leeds, he was ‘following him closely’.
Now, Orta wants to take him to Sevilla. Fornals is struggling to start this season, only once in the Premier League and six of just 14. There had been suggestions that his contract was due to expire in 2024.
But, the hammers have now exercised an extension to keep him until 2025 – meaning Orta’s pursuit to bring him to Sevilla has taken a turn. Betis are also keen, with Marc Roca currently impressing on loan.
Victor Orta wanted West Ham player Pablo Fornals at Leeds
Fornals is a top player. The Spaniard is versatile, able to play as a deep central midfielder, as a 10, box to box or a no.8. He is also more than capable of playing out wide if needed. A player with a good attitude.
Whether West Ham would have been willing to let Fornals go, is another question. Unlikely. This season, perhaps they might have been more willing – but Leeds are in the second tier and Orta has now gone.
He remains a key player at West Ham even if he not starting games at the moment. David Moyes is a fan of Fornals, saying he is a “great team player” and “very energetic”. He would have suited Bielsa’s Leeds.
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