Leeds United have been linked with Rodrigo de Paul ever since their return to the Premier League back in 2020, however, recent reports have suggested that Victor Orta could be handed a third chance to land the midfielder in January.

Indeed, a recent report by the Yorkshire Evening Post suggested that, with Atletico Madrid currently suffering from financial difficulties, Leeds may well be presented with yet another opportunity to sign the 28-year-old this winter.

And, despite the fact that the Argentina international has not been at his best since securing a €35m (£30m) move to Spain in the summer of 2021, considering just how impressive the playmaker was during his time at Udinese Calcio, the argument that Orta simply must launch a move for De Paul in January is an extremely easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 36 Serie A fixtures in his final campaign in Italy back in 2020/21, the £51.5m-rated talent was in astonishing attacking form, scoring nine goals, providing nine assists and creating 20 big chances for his teammates - the joint-most in the league - as well as taking an average of 2.3 shots, making 2.3 key passes and completing 3.4 dribbles per game.

The £112k-per-week playmaker also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, completing an average of 40.7 passes and playing 4.5 long balls per game, in addition to making an average of 0.5 interceptions, 1.1 tackles and winning 8.1 duels - at a success rate of 60% - per outing.

These returns saw the player who Roy Nemer dubbed "unplayable" and a "monster" average a breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.53, not only ranking him as his club's best performer in the league but also as the second-best player in the top-flight of Italian football as a whole.

As such, should Jesse Marsch believe that he would be able to help the 28-year-old refind this level of form following a potential switch to Elland Road this winter, it would indeed appear an extremely wise move for Orta to launch an official bid for the Argentine, as De Paul undoubtedly possesses the potential to help take Leeds to a whole new level in 2023.