Orta could sign Leeds' own Jorginho in bargain swoop for £45k-p/w "smooth operator" - opinion

Leeds United are closing in on their third signing of the summer…

According to the Daily Mail, the Yorkshire giants are in talks to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca, who is free to leave the Bundesliga champions, in a £10m deal.

It’s thought that Leeds director of football Victor Orta believes the Spaniard would be an ideal fit for the Premier League and that manager Jesse Marsch is also keen to sign him.

Premier League rivals West Ham United are also credited with interest but David Moyes is looking elsewhere.

The Whites have already signed RB Salzburg duo Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, so Roca could be their third major move ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

After bolstering attacking midfield and the right flank, it would make sense to add another piece to the engine room, and one that is more defensively minded.

Roca fits the bill as the perfect signing for Marsch, his system and the gaps currently left in his squad.

The 25-year-old has struggled for game-time at Bayern, largely due to a string of injuries and the sheer competition, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, whenever he has been given an opportunity or is fit, he has impressed, as claimed by BBC Sport’s Raj Choban, who said:

“Marc Roca to Leeds. I like it a lot. He impressed me in the run of games he got in December/January when Kimmich & Goretzka were injured,” he said. “Good defensive positioning & passing range. He’s the best Kalvin Philips replacement as a 6 that they could get. Or even to play with Phillips.”

Indeed, that reinforces the view of journalist Joe Donnohue, who described Roca as a “smooth operator” who can “steady the tempo & pick valuable forward passes”.

Fear not, Leeds fans – the