Journalist: Leeds now leading race for another star after Roca; could be Orta's best – opinion

Leeds United are ‘frontrunners’ to sign New York City FC striker Valentin Castellanos, and we believe the swoop could be Victor Orta’s best of the summer.

The Whites have already signed Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from RB Salzburg in this transfer window and appear to be closing in on Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca.

A new striker is also on the agenda ahead of Jesse Marsch’s first full season, with the Whites thought to be the ‘most interested’ suitor in the race for Castellanos.

Manchester City passed up on their option to sign the 23-year-old from a fellow City Group outfit, while Orta and Angus Kinnear were recently spotted alongside Leeds director Massimo Marinelli just over five miles from New York City FC’s Yankee Stadium.

Talking to GiveMeSport in a story shared late on Sunday evening, journalist Dean Jones said that the Argentine attacker has been ‘scouted by a lot of clubs’ but it is Leeds who ‘are the frontrunners’ when it comes to a potential move.

“He’s highly thought of and has been scouted by a lot of clubs. Man City are not going for him at this stage, but I think they would have had first option on him, so they’re opening up to other Premier League clubs, and right now, Leeds are the frontrunners.”

The Whites are in desperate need of a forward over the coming months, especially with Patrick Bamford missing the majority of last season due to a number of injuries. Bamford managed just seven league starts, with Marsch relying on youngster Joe Gelhardt in the final games of the season.

Castellanos could be the perfect attacking addition at Elland Road and boasts an extremely impressive goalscoring record in the MLS. He contributed to 27 MLS goals in 32 games last year and has 16 contributions