By Russell Edge

15th Dec, 2017 | 8:02pm

Report: Leeds to swoop for attacking free agent as double January exit readied

Leeds United are looking to sign 26-year-old striker Alfredo Ortuno on a free transfer before sending both him and Yosuke Ideguchi on loan to Spanish second tier side Cultural Leonesa in January, according to a report.

Spanish publication Diario De Leon claim on their website that the Whites will agree a contract with the Spanish forward, currently a free agent, before immediately loaning him out to Leonesa in the upcoming window.

It is said that this will be done as a result of the connections the two clubs share with Qatari group Aspire Academy, who own Leonesa while the CEO of the company is one of the directors at Leeds.

The report also claims that Leeds’ most recent capture, Yosuke Ideguchi, could be shipped out on loan alongside Ortuno as the Whites look to give him the chance to become eligible for a work permit in the future, with Ouasim Bouy already at the Spanish side temporarily.

Football Insider verdict

While Ideguchi is evidently in need of a loan spell away from Leeds in order to gain a work permit in England, there should be serious concerns over the Whites acting as a way for Leonesa to secure the players they need. A connection could be useful for developing Leeds’ own talents, as is the case with Bouy but signing players to immediately loan them to Leonesa is a waste of resources which could be spent on improving themselves. Ortuno, who has only played five times in Spain’s top flight, will never have a future at Elland Road, and as such this report will cause more concern than excitement for the Leeds faithful.

In other Leeds United transfer news, the club are expecting a double international arrival at Elland Road.