Leeds United asked about Serie A striker in 2021, now he’s available for a bargain £5.8m

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Victor Orta’s scouting network during his Leeds United spell knew no bounds as the Spaniard scoured the European market for the next young talent throughout his time in Yorkshire.

While Orta came in for plenty of criticism for his work in the final 12 months of his tenure as the club’s sporting director, Orta also did some wonderful business at Leeds that continues to benefit the Whites.

Yes, Orta sacked Marcelo Bielsa, brought in the car crash that was Jesse Marsch and after altercations with fans, included relegation loan clauses in a handful of Leeds contracts that continue to disrupt the club.

But Orta also brought in some of Leeds’ best players on the cheap thanks to his extensive knowledge of European football. Orta signed Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Wilfried Gnonto and Mateo Joseph all cheap.

• READ MORE: Frenchman’s £12.5m move now impacts Leeds United’s chances of selling player

Victor Orta asked Fiorentina about Christian Kouame in 2020

Rewind just over four years ago, and Italian outlet La Nazione reported that Orta had asked Fiorentina about Ivory Coast star Christian Kouame. The striker had just turned 23 and was yet to make a real impact.

Leeds were in the market for a new forward but failed to make any signings in January 2021. Ultimately, no striker was going to join in the middle of the season when Patrick Bamford was in the form of his life.

Able to play anywhere in attack, Kouame has clocked up 148 appearances for La Viola whether that be as a left or right-winger, behind the striker or leading the line himself. But now, Fiorentina are ready to sell.

Fiorentina ready to sanction Christian Kouame’s exit in January

TuttoMercatoWeb report that Fiorentina are willing to offload Kouame five years after he joined the club initially on loan from Genoa. Interest in Kouame is not short, with as many as five clubs interested in him.

They include old side Genoa, Cagliari, Parma, Ethan Ampadu’s old side Venezia and Torino are all keen on keeping Ivory Coast star Kouame in Italy. The report says that Fiorentina want a £5.8m fee for the striker.

Leeds are in the market for a striker, with Joe Gelhardt expected to leave for Hull City. Bamford remains at the club but is currently nursing a hamstring injury and may miss Saturday’s clash against Harrogate.