Director of football Victor Orta has said Leeds United were keen on Benfica starlet Florentino Luis in the summer but decided against the move as it would affect one of the club’s academy prospects, speaking to Record.
The Whites had an impressive summer transfer window, signing Rodrigo, Raphinha, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Joe Gelhardt, while making loan deals for Helder Costa and Illan Meslier permanent.
The signings have helped the club settle back into the Premier League. Leeds came close to beating Liverpool, picked up an impressive draw with Manchester City and smashed three past high-flying Aston Villa.
Orta deserves a lot of credit for his work behind the scenes during the past three years. But he admitted Leeds decided against signing the exciting Benfica midfielder after trying to negotiate a deal.
The Whites were heavily linked with a move for Luis in the summer. In July, TMW claimed they were battling AC Milan for the £25 million-rated midfielder.
However, Orta said: “Yes, we liked him (Luis), but Benfica wanted to loan him out to get minutes. And in that position Kalvin Phillips plays, a player of Leeds’ academy. It was an operation from which no-one would benefit.”
Luis would have been a good addition
Luis joined Monaco on a season-long loan deal instead. The Portuguese midfielder is one of Benfica’s brightest young prospects and is likely to have flourished under the wing of Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa.
And, although it wasn’t meant to be, Kalvin Phillips is doing a fantastic job in the middle of the park for Leeds.
Luis has played almost 160 minutes for Monaco so far this season. Orta is clearly a fan of the young Portuguese midfielder, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leeds make another move next summer when he returns to Benfica.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
