Leeds director Victor Orta wanted Ross McCormack while at Middlesbrough; should he now target handing him Elland Road return?

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Ross McCormack is a divisive figure amongst Leeds United fans following his 2014 departure, but perhaps an Elland Road return would change that.

Ross McCormack

To many Leeds fans, the prospect of Ross McCormack returning to Elland Road is one they would rather not consider given the way that he left the Whites in 2014 and his form from this past season.

The 30-year-old handed in a transfer request before leaving for Fulham in 2014 (via BBC Sport) and only scored four goals in 2016/17, with three coming during his first few months with Aston Villa, while the other came during his disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

But perhaps it may not be out of the question to suggest that Leeds’ new director of football would be open to the idea of seeing McCormack return to Yorkshire.

Victor Orta was enjoying his first transfer window as part of the Middlesbrough hierarchy in January 2016 when the club had two bids for McCormack rejected – the latter of which was reportedly worth £8 million with then-Boro forward Kike being sent to Craven Cottage (via Sky Sports).

The Scotsman has endured a fairly torrid time since that window, and the Birmingham Mail hints that he may not necessarily be given another chance to make an impression for Aston Villa, so perhaps Leeds should take a gamble on McCormack in the hope that a return to familiar surroundings brings the best out of him.

McCormack has endured a difficult time lately

The Whites undoubtedly need more depth up front, and bringing McCormack back could perhaps give Thomas Christiansen’s men the additional strength they need, especially as it was during his time playing alongside Matt Smith – who arguably boasted some similar attributes to current Leeds star Chris Wood – when McCormack adopted a talisman-like status in the team, so perhaps a similarly fruitful partnership could be formed if he was brought back.

And with a point to definitely prove to the Leeds supporters left so disappointed by the manner of his departure, as well as those who are doubting him being capable of rediscovering his best form, perhaps it would not necessarily be the worst thing if Orta decided to reignite his interest in the forward if Villa are willing to sanction a cheap deal.