Here are your Leeds United headlines for the morning of Wednesday November 18.
Leeds United director of football explains ‘strategic’ element of record signing
Victor Orta has explained some of the “strategic” reasoning behind Leeds United’s record signing of Rodrigo Moreno in the summer.
The Spanish international made the club-record £26 million move to Elland Road from Valencia in August, giving Marcelo Bielsa’s side the top level striker so many believed they needed to survive in the Premier League.
On top of this, the Whites spent big on international defenders Robin Koch and Diego Llorente and winger Raphina. Orta specifically spoke about how the signing of Rodrigo was important.
“It was a strategic signing to show ambition,” the Leeds United director of football told Portuguese newspaper Record. “Rodrigo had other options, but he was always interested in our project. I’ve followed him since the academy of Real Madrid, even before Benfica.”
Bad luck charm in charge of Leeds United’s first game back after break
Anthony Taylor will take charge of Leeds United’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal on Sunday, with the referee something of a bad luck charm for the Whites.
Taylor was the man in the middle for Leeds United’s last clash with the Gunners back in January, when the hosts claimed a narrow 1-0 victory following a Reiss Nelson goal in the second half at the Emirates Stadium.
In 12 games Taylor has been the referee for Leeds United games, the Whites have won only five, losing five and drawing the other two. He has shown 25 yellow card and four reds in those games.
Taylor was the referee the day Leeds suffered a devastating 4-2 defeat to Derby County in the Championship playoffs second leg in 2019.
Leeds United could move for on-loan Chelsea midfielder
Conor Gallagher could be a target for Leeds United, with director of football Orta identifying the on-loan Chelsea midfielder as perfect for Bielsa’s side.
The 20-year-old was linked with a move to Elland Road during the summer, but made the loan switch to West Bromwich Albion instead.
However, The Sun (via GiveMeSport) claims Leeds will go back in for Gallagher with it reported the young midfielder could cost somewhere in the region of £10 million.
Gallagher has made four appearances in the Premier League so far this season and has struggled to make an impression for a West Brom team battling down the wrong end of the table. Despite this, the 20-year-old is highly rated.
