Victor Orta has been spotted at Manchester airport heading to Belgium, suggesting that he could be sorting Leeds United’s move for Nicolas Raskin.
The Lowdown: Leeds linked with Raskin move
The 21-year-old has impressed for Standard Liege in the last 12 months, making 29 Jupiler Pro League appearances in 2021/22, chipping in with four assists from his defensive midfield role.
Raskin has been linked with a move to Leeds in recent days, as Jesse Marsch looks to fill the potential void left by Kalvin Phillips this summer.
Now, a fresh development suggests the Whites could be closer than ever to snapping up Raskin imminently.
The Latest: Orta’s airport trop hints at transfer
On Thursday, Leeds fan @Nathaniel2471 posted a photo on Twitter of himself and Orta at Manchester airport, with the Whites’ sporting director taking a flight to Belgium.
“Victor Orta in Manchester airport going Belgium”, the tweet read, accompanied by an all-important suggestive eyes emoji!
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The Verdict: Great summer addition
While there is no proof that Orta was flying to seal the signing of Raskin, it certainly seems like a coincidence at a time when Leeds are strongly linked with one of the Belgium top-flights stand-out performers.
If a deal can get over the line, the youngster could be an excellent signing by Jesse Marsch, providing a new combative presence in the middle of the park, particularly with Phillips possibly leaving and Stuart Dallas out with a long-term injury.
Raskin averaged 2.6 tackles per game in the league last season, a number higher than every Leeds player except Phillips, Dallas and Luke Ayling, and that all-action approach is needed in a team that leaked goals last term and could be without all three of those names come game-week one.
In other news, Orta is also believed to have stepped up his chase for another Leeds signing. Read more here.