Leeds United were linked with a move for Flamengo centre-forward Pedro in the summer transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano revealing Victor Orta's interest in the 25-year-old in an interview with GIVEMESPORT back in August.

Regarding the Whites' fondness for the Brazil international, the transfer insider said: "I'm told that the player they have been monitoring for a long time is Pedro from Flamengo, the Brazilian striker.

"But the problem with South American transfers is the timing. Of course, now we're close to the end of the window, so they need to be fast if they want to do a South American deal."

However, with the Brazilian Série A season now at an end, and with Pedro having made Tite's 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup, Orta and his transfer team at Elland Road will have a perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the striker this winter.

BBC Sport commentator Guy Mowbray singled the Flamengo forward out as one of his players to watch in the tournament, labelling the 25-year-old as "something special" and stating his belief that Pedro is set to play a "starring substitute role" for when the Seleção "need something different."

And, considering just how impressive the two-cap international was in Brazil this season, it would not be hard to imagine that Orta will once again be tempted into launching a move for the centre-forward in the January market.

Indeed, over his 24 Série A appearances - only 12 of which came as starts - in 2022, the £17.5m-rated talent was in devastating form, scoring 11 goals, registering three assists and creating five big chances, in addition to taking an average of 2.2 shots, making 0.7 key passes and completing 0.4 dribbles per game.

The 25-year-old also caught the eye over his 13 Copa Libertadores fixtures, bagging 12 goals, providing two assists and creating six big chances, as well as taking an average of 2.5 shots, making one key pass and completing 0.6 dribbles per game - playing a starring role in Flamengo going on to win the competition.

As such, should the player who boasts a £110m release clause go on to explode for Brazil in Qatar, it would indeed appear extremely wise for Orta to launch a move for Pedro this winter, as the striker's goals would look to make a very welcome addition to Jesse Marsch's current attacking options at Elland Road.