Orta now finally set to accept defeat as Leeds plot exit for Bielsa 'mistake' – opinion

Leeds United will release Kiko Casilla when his Elland Road deal expires, and it looks as if Victor Orta is finally ready to accept defeat when it comes to the goalkeeper.

Marcelo Bielsa gave Orta the green light to bring Casilla to Yorkshire back in 2019 from Real Madrid. The Spaniard signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Leeds but fell out of favour just over a year into his stay after being found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, where he was handed an eight-game ban by the FA.

Illan Meslier took over as first choice and hasn’t looked back, with Casilla making just three Premier League appearances last year. He’s spent the current campaign out on loan back in Spain with Elche, where he has also slipped to second choice, with an update now emerging on his future.

Sports Witness relayed an update from Diario Informacion regarding Casilla on Tuesday. They claimed that he will return to Yorkshire in the summer and ‘will be released after the end of his contract with Leeds’.

However, Casilla’s deal at Elland Road still has just over 12 months left to run, implying he could soak up wages on the sidelines for another year or return to Spain for another loan spell.

Leeds could find themselves back in the Championship next season, where a number of big earners could be moved on as a result.

Casilla is amongst them as he reportedly picks up £40,000-a-week. He has been described as a ‘mistake’ by Leeds TV podcaster Oscar Mario and doesn’t seem needed at Elland Road, with Kristoffer Klaesson signing last summer to provide back up to Meslier.

On that basis, it could make sense for Andrea Radrizzani and Orta to sit down with the player’s representatives and look to reach an agreement where his final 12 months of his