Orta now closing in on "exceptional" target as 4th Leeds signing, he has "no downside" - opinion

Phil Hay has dropped an update on the future of reported Leeds United transfer target Darko Gyabi.

In a recent post on Twitter and report for The Athletic, the journalist revealed that, following the Whites’ acceptance of a £42m bid from Manchester City for Kalvin Phillips, Victor Orta is now closing in on a £5m deal for the 18-year-old midfielder from the Etihad Stadium.

Hay added in a further tweet that the England under-18 international is set to sign a four-year deal at Elland Road following the completion of his medical with Jesse Marsch’s side, which is expected to take place next week.

In his tweets, the journalist said: “Leeds lining up 18-year-old centre midfielder Darko Gyabi to come in the opposite direction from City. Set to sign a four-year deal with Leeds after a medical next week.”

The prospect of losing a homegrown talent such as Kalvin Phillips will undoubtedly come as a gutting blow to Orta, Marsch and supporters of the Whites, but with the seemingly imminent signing of Gyabi, it appears as if Leeds have landed a player who could well go on to match the England international’s impact in the middle of the park further down the line.

Indeed, since making the move from Milwall to Manchester City in November 2018, the midfielder has become something of a stalwart in the heart of City’s under-18 and under-23 sides, with nine goals and two assists in 24 appearances for the former and one goal and three assists in 15 outings for the latter.

Furthermore, the teenager who Neil Harris dubbed an “exceptional young player” has already earned some high praise in his short career, none more so than from Harry Brooks, the co-founder of CREATE talent agency.

He stated of Gyabi following news of the teenager’s proposed