The Whites witnessed three departures on deadline day, though none of any real significance as Jay Roy-Grot and Conor O'Shaughnessy left permanently, while Rafa Mujica moved to Las Palmas on loan.
Mujica, who swapped Real Oviedo for his former club, joined Jordan Stevens, Robbie Gotts and Ryan Edmondson in the players temporarily furthering their development away from Thorp Arch.
And while Leeds came nowhere near to strengthening their first-team squad – ultimately because they didn’t need or want to – the YEP understands Orta was still a very busy man.
Orta has targets lined up and has been speaking to agents and clubs to lay the groundwork in order to hit the ground running when the next window opens.
And according to The Athletic, one of those players on Orta’s radar is Brest left-back Romain Perraud.
The 23-year-old was linked with a move to Elland Road last week but it is believed Leeds’ interest is genuine and will consider a formal offer when the season finishes.
Another area Orta is reportedly looking to strengthen is Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield, ideally sourcing a back up to Kalvin Phillips, plus other players who may be able to take the pressure of Mateusz Klich.
There is also a line regarding the future of Gjanni Alioski, who is out-of-contract this summer and reports in Turkey have already highlighted Galatasaray’s interest.
Bielsa wants the North Macedonian to stay – as reported by the YEP – which comes as no surprise given the integral part the 28-year-old has played since the Argentine arrived in West Yorkshire.
The Athletic adds that the Whites are “quietly hopeful” Alioski will stay and he is open to staying if the demands are right.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of fallout happening from deadline day in the Premier League concerning Leeds’ rivals:
![Manchester City have joined the race to sign Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan is valued at around £35million and is already wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea. (Calciomercato)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmNmMmUzYTBjLWYyZTktNDE2MC05ODU3LWU4MDQzZmM0YmEwOToxZDc2NDI0OS02NjBkLTQ3OTUtYjNkZS1hNDBlOWViNTlkZTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. City join Hakimi race
Manchester City have joined the race to sign Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan is valued at around £35million and is already wanted by Arsenal and Chelsea. (Calciomercato) Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
![Southampton made a late bid to take Liverpool right-back Neco Williams on loan for the remainder of the season, however Jurgen Klopp rejected the offer as the 19-year-old is direct cover to Trent Alexander-Arnold. (90min)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjEwNWNhYTUyLTJhNzYtNDRiZi1hN2Q1LWY3NmM4YzI3ZmEyOTplYzEyNTJhOC0zNDE4LTQxOTgtYjdiNi1kYzVhY2RlMzAzMjY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Liverpool rejected Williams loan bid
Southampton made a late bid to take Liverpool right-back Neco Williams on loan for the remainder of the season, however Jurgen Klopp rejected the offer as the 19-year-old is direct cover to Trent Alexander-Arnold. (90min) Photo: Mike Hewitt
![Liverpool witnessed a £20million bid for Duje Caleta-Car rejected by Marseille, who insisted the defender remained in France until at least the end of the season. The Reds signed Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies instead. (RMC Sport)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjUwMjdkMDJmLTAzMDAtNGIzOC05MmNlLWIwNTY3YzRhYTVhNjpjNTQ2ZWI2Yy0zMzE1LTQ0MTMtOTM5Zi00MTg4ZWVkNDcyNGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Marseille turned down £20m Reds bid
Liverpool witnessed a £20million bid for Duje Caleta-Car rejected by Marseille, who insisted the defender remained in France until at least the end of the season. The Reds signed Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies instead. (RMC Sport) Photo: GERARD JULIEN
![Manchester United did not consider signing Roma and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko during the January transfer window, despite suggestions from the Italian media. (Daily Express)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ2NjEwZTViLWU2MjAtNDgyYy1hYzNmLWQ5OTc1Mzc2YWUwNToyNDljY2IzOS04MDNiLTRjMGYtODY2Mi0zYzFiMzM2M2I4YWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Dzeko to Man Utd not true
Manchester United did not consider signing Roma and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko during the January transfer window, despite suggestions from the Italian media. (Daily Express) Photo: Paolo Bruno
![Manchester United turned down interest from Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham for full-back Brandon Williams as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to keep the 20-year-old at Old Trafford. (The Sun)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjU3NGRhNGUzLWViYjUtNGFjZC1hNTAyLWVjNzI5NjVmNzJhMTo1MWI2YTNhMC0yNmYzLTQyZWItYmU5My0zZmZmMDQ0ZWE1ZjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Man Utd turned down Williams interest
Manchester United turned down interest from Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham for full-back Brandon Williams as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to keep the 20-year-old at Old Trafford. (The Sun) Photo: CLIVE BRUNSKILL
![Newcastle United had agreed a loan deal with Schalke for Ozan Kabak before Liverpool swept in to sign the defender. Jurgen Klopp’s side “blew the Magpies out of the water” once they registered their interest with an £18million buy option. (BBC)](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjM1MDU2N2JjLWRmMmItNDgwMy1iM2QxLTMxMDFmNjRkYjIxNDo4OGFiYjZhYy01ZThkLTQ1YzktYTEyMi1kNThlMGMxY2I1YTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Newcastle missed out on Kabak
Newcastle United had agreed a loan deal with Schalke for Ozan Kabak before Liverpool swept in to sign the defender. Jurgen Klopp’s side “blew the Magpies out of the water” once they registered their interest with an £18million buy option. (BBC) Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE