The Leeds United director of football did, however, confirm that work is underway ahead of the New Year.
Victor Orta has bemoaned the impact English football’s work permit rules have had on his Leeds United recruitment plans.
Orta utilised his knowledge of the South American market to recruit future stars like Federico Fazio and Diego Perotti during his time with Sevilla.
But the need for an EU passport to play in England – unless other criteria, such as a player having appeared in a percentage his country’s most recent fixtures, or having cost a substantial transfer fee, are met – the Spaniard has found himself unable to pick up where he left off since moving to Leeds, via Zenit St Petersburg and Middlesbrough.
Asked if work is already underway at Leeds ahead of the January transfer window, Orta told the Training Ground Guru podcast: Yes. You like the rest of football are always working.
“Now, it is true that January is not my favourite period, because the availability of the players normally is because (they) have a problem, in terms of (their) physical or contractual situation, and this is always a situation (that is) difficult to approach.
“It’s true that in Spain with the situation of the South American players, (who make contract) decisions yearly, and here the work permit is a problem.
“We can not approach these players with the work permit situation, then the market is really reduced.”
The last winter window left Leeds arguably weaker in the second half of the season, and the Whites ultimately missed out on automatic promotion before being beaten in the play-offs.
That did little to change the perception that teams managed by the Leeds head coach, Marcelo Bielsa, tend to fade away over the course of a campaign.
But Orta went on to describe that view as ‘unfair’ and claimed that ‘fine margins’ such as Tyler Roberts hitting the post against Sheffield United, the eventual runners-up who proceeded to snatch a winner at Elland Road in March, as the reason for his side’s failure.
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