Leeds United have brought in a number of rough diamonds since Victor Orta became director of football – Nordine Ibouroi should be on their radar too.
While Leeds United’s Director of Football Victor Orta can’t exactly boast a 100 per cent hit rate with his signings so far at Elland Road, the talentspotter has certainly pulled off some mightily impressive transfers so far.
The likes of Ezgjan Alioski, Samu Saiz and Jay-Roy Grot were far from household names in England while plying their trade in Switzerland and the second divisions of Spain and Holland respectively.
And while only Saiz has been consistently impressive so far, the trio reflect Orta’s ability to spot a diamond in the rough. With The Sun reporting that unnamed Championship clubs are checking out 19-year-old striker Nordine Ibouroi, then, you wonder whether he is another name that has come to Orta’s attention.
Ibouroi may be representing FC Martigues in the French fourth tier but that has not stopped the talented attacker from attracting admiring glances from further up the footballing hierarchy.
Typical Orta signing?
The teenager shot to fame with a stunning goal against Monaco reserves last month and the report claims that Premier League duo Newcastle United and Stoke City are among the clubs sending scouts to watch the speedy Ibouroi in action.
In many ways, however, the Comoros national is a typical Orta signing – he’s young, boasts plenty of potential and his earning rave reviews in a league that most clubs would not think to check.
Leeds have also attempted to overhaul their academy options in the summer by recruiting a number of highly-talented youngsters from across the continent, including former Barcelona wonderkid Kun Temenuzhkov and Spanish striker Adrian Balboa.
Ibouroi, then, could fit the bill nicely.
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