Phil Hay has dropped an update on the remaining business of Leeds United in the summer transfer window.
What's the talk?
In a recent post on Twitter, The Athletic journalist revealed that, despite a number of recent reports linking Victor Orta with moves for the likes of Juan Mata, Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, all of these links are believed to be wide of the mark - with there being little movement at present on the incoming transfer front at Elland Road.
In his post, Hay said: "No real movement on further incomings at Leeds United at this stage but in terms of the names linked in the past 24 hours - Mata, Sarr, Pedro all wide of the mark."
His claim follows news on Wednesday night where it was stated that Sarr was allegedly close to joining the Yorkshire side. Other reports yesterday evening also revealed that his Watford teammate, Pedro, could also join on loan.
Orta must act fast
While it is true that Leeds have been incredibly active in the summer transfer window thus far - with Orta adding no less than eight new signings to Jesse Marsch's squad since the end of last season - there are nevertheless two areas of the Whites' side that still look as if they could do with reinforcing over the coming weeks - left-back and centre-forward.
Indeed, with Stuart Dallas and Junior Firpo both out injured at present, Marsch was left with no other choice than to field central defender Pascal Struijk at left-back in the Whites' opening day 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
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In addition to this lack of depth, Firpo also struggled with the pace of the Premier League following his £13m move from Barcelona last summer, averaging a SofaScore match rating of just 6.60 over his 24 league outings in 2021/22 - ranking him as Leeds' seventh-worst performer in the division.
As such, should Marsch wish to make an improvement on the 79 goals his side conceded in the top flight last term this time around, it would very much appear as if greater depth will be required on the left of the American's backline prior to the transfer deadline.
The same could be said about the Whites' depth up top, with Marsch still being heavily reliant on Patrick Bamford - who managed just nine outings in the top flight last season due to injury - as his primary source of goals, with only 20-year-old pair Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood viable backups to the England international.
So, while deals for Mata, Sarr and Pedro may not be close, it would appear highly advisable for Orta to get the wheels in motion for another couple of additions before too long - or else the Whites could face a repeat of their struggles last season in 2022/23.