Victor Orta’s decision to pass on signing Viktor Gyokeres while at Leeds United is now seen as a major misstep. As the former director of football at Elland Road, Orta revealed that he opted not to secure the Swede’s services despite his instrumental role in the team’s success under Marcelo Bielsa.
During his time at Leeds from 2017 to 2023, Orta had his share of hits and misses in the transfer market. While he successfully brought in players like Raphinha, there were also disappointments like Jean Kevin Augustin. His recent admission on passing up Gyokeres falls into the latter category and is now a decision he regrets.
Orta admitted that he felt the asking price of £11.7 million for Gyokeres was too steep, a decision he now sees as a missed opportunity. Gyokeres went on to have a stellar season at Coventry City, scoring 17 goals in the league and earning a move to Sporting Clube de Portugal where he has become a standout performer.
The Swede’s success post-Leeds has left fans wondering what could have been if he had been signed. Gyokeres’ impact could have potentially prevented Leeds from being relegated in the 2022/23 season and changed the course of the club’s history.
Moving forward, Leeds must learn from this mistake and ensure they do not miss out on future talents like Gyokeres. With the right recruitment strategy in place, the club can avoid costly errors and strive for success in the Premier League.
