Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa opted against signing Club Brugge winger Noa Lang due to concerns over his defensive work rate, according to reports. Bielsa's preference for hard-working players explains Leeds' summer transfer business, including a deadline day deal for Manchester United winger Daniel James.
Marcelo Bielsa has a big transfer veto. (Image: GETTY)
Club insider Phil Hay claims Leeds Director of Football Victor Orta was eyeing a move for Brugge star Lang, but his work rate didn't convince Bielsa.
He told The Phil Hay Show: "People will have seen Noa Lang linked all the way through the window, and the reality with Lang is that [Victor] Orta thinks a lot of him.
"Orta thinks he could be very good value, and he tends to have a good eye for a player – particularly a prospect.
"He felt that that was worth investigating, worth setting up potentially for Bielsa to sign if Bielsa liked him. [But] there were things about Lang's game that Bielsa wasn't totally sold on.
"He wasn't saying that Lang in any way was a poor player, but I think defensively and tracking back wasn't quite right, and you know that that matters to Bielsa."
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"I have to say a huge thank you to my team firstly," Orta told the official club website.
"The football department have been monitoring Daniel for a number of years, and every member of my team has worked hard to get this deal over the line.
"It is no secret that Daniel is a player we have been keen to acquire for a number of years and today we achieved our goal.
"As a player we feel Daniel is an excellent fit for a Marcelo Bielsa team, he is quick, direct and works hard – we look forward to him joining up with the squad, finally!"