Victor Orta often gets criticism for his time at Leeds United and some of the signings he made, especially during Jesse Marsch’s era. But Orta also produced some nuggets of gold.
Even now in this Leeds side, Daniel Farke continues to start Pascal Struijk. A defender signed by Orta from Ajax as a teenager, a player who has come through the U21 side and even now, remains a very key player.
Orta made some wonderful additions. Bringing in young players he had identified as having huge futures, before they were known. Illan Meslier, Crysencio Summerville, Mateo Joseph, Willy Gnonto and more.
But the biggest and best signing Orta made during his six-year stint at Elland Road was without doubt, the addition of Raphinha from Ligue 1 side Rennes for a fee believed to be in the region of just £17m.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the signing of the season. Prove me wrong!
The Leeds star is on fire in the Premier League 🔥
Leeds could sign Victor Orta’s second version of Raphinha
Raphinha would go on to have a hand in 27 goals during 69 Leeds appearances, becoming a key player for Brazil during his Leeds days and eventually earning his dream move to Barcelona for a £55m fee.
It saw Leeds earn a £38m profit within just two years. Reports of Barcelona still owing money for the Brazilian’s fee have been dismissed, and Raphinha should feel aggrieved not to win the Ballon d’Or.
Oh, how Leeds could do with Raphinha. But they could be about to sign Orta’s second version of the signing he made at Leeds, in the form of Ruben Vargas. Orta is now with second-tier side Real Valladolid.
But in January, Orta was still at Sevilla, and he spent a bargain £2m on 56-time Switzerland star Vargas from Augsburg. It has proven to be a wonderful signing, having a hand in seven La Liga goals this season.
Vargas is Orta’s second Raphinha, Leeds have to sign him
Reports say Leeds are planning a £17m bid for Vargas, who has sparkled since his move to Spain. A teammate of Isaac Schmidt at National Team level, and of course Noah Okafor, when the latter is picked.
Orta might have tripled Raphinha’s outlay when selling the star winger to Barcelona. With Vargas, Sevilla could rake in tenfold what they paid for him, if Leeds manage to do a deal for the impressive winger.
Could Ruben Vargas be the missing piece in Leeds’ jigsaw? 🔥
He's been excellent in Spain…
It is Orta’s second Raphinha, easily his best signing while still Sevilla’s sporting director, and there have been some bad ones. Now, Leeds want Vargas with the hope that he can be their second Raphinha, too.
With Leeds desperate to bring in some attacking reinforcements, Vargas would be a stunning signing and in turn, would see Orta show Sevilla fans he got one deal right during his time at the Sanchez-Pijuan.
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