Report: Orta gave up on Leeds target; player thinks £25m fee scuppered move

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Leeds United director of football Victor Orta immediately turned to Raphinha after the club had a £13 million bid for Levante’s Jose Campana rejected, with Super Deporte claiming the Premier League outfit didn’t even bother with a written offer for the Spain international.

Considering a bid from West Yorkshire only arrived a few days before the 5 October deadline, time wasn’t exactly of the essence for Orta and co.

And when Levante made it clear they wanted far, far more than £13 million for a playmaker with a £55 million release clause in his contract, Leeds had little choice but to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a defence-splitting attacker.

Super Deporte claims Orta didn’t even make a formal, written offer for Campana after his initial inquiry was rebuffed, immediately turning his attention to Raphinha instead.

The Brazilian would eventually arrive at Elland Road for about £21 million – a sizeable sum but less than Levante were demanding for a man who single-handedly dismantled Barcelona in a famous 3-1 La Liga triumph a year ago.

Super Deporte adds Campana wasn’t thrilled with Levante’s hardline stance either.

The one-time Crystal Palace youngster felt a starting price of £26 million was putting off potential suitors, although it seems he failed in his attempts to convince the Castellon club to reduce their demands.

Then again, if the newly capped Spain star enjoys another season like the last one, that £26 million fee will start to look like a bargain sooner rather than later.