Leeds United have been handed a boost in their bid to bring Kai Wagner to Elland Road in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to Tom Bogert, with the American journalist revealing in a recent post on Twitter that, after being heavily linked with a $3m (£2.8m) move to Jesse Marsch's side this summer, the expectation is that the left-back will be on the move to a European club at the end of the current MLS campaign this winter.

However, the MLS insider went on to state that, although Victor Orta will likely be interested in a move for the 25-year-old come January, a deal for the defender will not be as easy to get over the line as it would have been this summer, with a number of clubs now believed to be tracking the German.

In his tweet, Bogert said: "Sources: Expectation is that Philadelphia Union star left-back Kai Wagner will 'absolutely' be sold to Europe this winter. Leeds United far from the only club interested - will be difficult for them now rather than the summer. Wagner, 25, has 15 assists and is part of the best defence in MLS."

Orta must move

Considering just how impressive Wagner has been for Philadelphia Union so far this season, coupled with left-back being something of a problem position for the Whites, it would appear extremely advisable for Orta to do everything in his power to fight off the competition for the 25-year-old's signature this winter.

Indeed, over his 32 MLS appearances in 2022, the £3.6m-rated full-back has been in exceptional defensive form, helping his side keep 14 clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.7 interceptions, 1.4 tackles, 1.7 clearances and winning 3.5 duels - at a success rate of 58% - per game.

The £10.3k-per-week talent has also been in astonishing form going forwards, registering eight assists and creating 13 big chances for his teammates, in addition to making an average of 2.7 key passes - the joint sixth-most in the league - 4.3 long balls and 2.8 crosses per fixture.

These returns have seen the player who CBS journalist Ben Jacobs dubbed "very creative" and "technical" average a simply breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.51, not only ranking him as Union's best performer in the league but also as the fourth-best player in the MLS as a whole so far this season.

Furthermore, with Junior Firpo yet to feature in the current Premier League campaign as a result of a knock picked up in pre-season, in addition to Stuart Dallas remaining sidelined until at least the turn of the year with a fractured femur, Marsch has been left with no other choice but to deploy centre-back Pascal Struijk on the left of his backline this term.

And, while the 23-year-old has turned in a number of admirable displays from an unfamiliar position, following Leeds' 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion back in August, MLS journalist Matthew Doyle claimed that the Whites' display was one of a "big 'buy Kai Wagner ASAP' performance" from the Premier League side.

As such, when taking into account just how impressive Wagner has been so far this season, coupled with left-back undoubtedly being the weakest position and biggest problem in Marsch's first team squad at present, it would indeed appear highly advisable for Orta to do everything in his power to land the 25-year-old this winter.