Victor Orta says he chose not to pay £11.7m for Viktor Gyokeres at Leeds United, now he’s set for £60m+ move

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Almost two years ago, Leeds United were in the market for a new striker. One to keep them in the Premier League and The Whites chose to spend a club-record fee on Georginio Rutter.

While Rutter became a fan favourite at Elland Road in his second season under Daniel Farke, the star struggled initially. He managed just one Premier League start during the second half of 2022-23.

Sam Allardyce said Rutter wasn’t ready by the time Allardyce arrived for the final four games and that was that. Leeds were relegated, The Whites missing an opportunity to sign a striker capable of saving them.

One striker that was linked with a move to Elland Road during January 2023 before Rutter’s arrival was Viktor Gyokeres. Reports at the time said Leeds were in talks with Coventry, but unwilling to spend big.

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Victor Orta admits refusing to pay Viktor Gyokeres’ price tag

Gyokeres of course, has since gone on to join Sporting Lisbon and shining under new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. A player that has 66 goals and 19 assists in 68 games for the Portuguese side.

Described as “unstoppable”, Gyokeres is being touted for a £63m move to the Premier League. Victor Orta made the call no to sign Gyokeres and has now been quoted by The Record about a possible move.

“When I was at Leeds United I didn’t want to pay 14 million euros for him. Cases like Gyökeres are the good surprises that football gives us, those things that we can’t measure,” now-Sevilla director Orta said.

Would Gyokeres have kept Leeds in the Premier League?

He would have done a better job than Rutter, with the Frenchman hardly given the chance. Leeds were to blame for relegation, the hiring and firing of managers that were simply not up to the task at Elland Road.

But having a striker like Gyokeres up top, a proven goal machine, would surely have given Leeds a bit more of a chance in the final third. Judging by his form in Portugal, you imagine he may have saved them.

Instead, Gyokeres is now likely to go and shine in the Premier League with one of the big-hitters while Leeds are forced to slug it out in the Championship, until next May at the very earliest.