Leeds United fans should hope Victor Orta’s mystery signing is Astana’s Junior Kabananga

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Junior Kabananga was linked with Leeds United, Hull City and Nottingham Forest this summer but remains in Kazakhstan.

Director of Football Victor Orta promising that Leeds United would make a ‘big surprise’ signing from Asia, as reported by The Express, has fans speculating about the identity of this mystery newcomer.

Leeds have signed excellently this summer, bringing in fans’ favourites Samu Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski on bargain deals, so the trust in Orta is high at the moment though it remains to be seen whether his Midas touch will continue with this latest possible addition.

And while this surprise, Asia-based signing may turn out to be a hitherto unknown South Korean teenager who will spend the next two years battling for a place in the reserves, Leeds supporters may be hoping that Orta is hinting at a deal for Astana striker Junior Kabananga.

TEAMtalk reported in August that Leeds were hopeful of landing the £1.5 million-rated Congolese international in the summer and were leading Hull City and Nottingham Forest in the chase.

Eventually, Kabananga remained with Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan which is considered to be located in Asia despite the club taking part in the European Champions League qualifiers.

And Kabananga would certainly be a signing that would add to the excitement at Elland Road right now. The 28-year-old enjoyed the most prolific season of his career last time out with 16 goals in 28 games and all won the Golden boot at the 2017 African Cup of Nations.

Furthermore, his pace and directness would add another element to a strikeforce enhanced by the arrivals of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Jay-Roy Grot and Caleb Ekuban this summer.

Whether Kabananga is the name on Orta’s lips, however, remains to be seen.