---
title: "Leeds: Whites tipped to make move for Okay Yokuslu"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/okay-yokuslu-leeds-transfer-latest-orta/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-12-27T12:05:48Z"
modified: "2021-12-27T12:05:48Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites tipped to make move for Okay Yokuslu

**Leeds United should make a move for Celta Vigo midfielder Okay Yokuslu in the [January transfer window](https://www.givemesport.com/1754870-january-transfer-window-2022-when-does-it-open-when-does-it-close-and-which-players-are-going-to-move), according to former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips.**

### The Lowdown: Orta makes Yokuslu claim

Marcelo Bielsa is suffering an [injury crisis](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) within his squad and Kalvin Phillips’ [lengthy absence](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10285227/Leeds-star-Kalvin-Phillips-set-TWO-MONTHS-injured-Patrick-Bamford-too.html) highlights the need for a new midfielder to come in next month.

Victor Orta [spoke glowingly](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-transfer-orta-okay-21042685) about Yokuslu during the summer, suggesting that a move for the former West Brom man could potentially be on the cards at some point.

The [39-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/okay-yokuslu/nationalmannschaft/spieler/137616/verein_id/3381) Turkey international has struggled hugely for playing time at Celta Vigo this season, [failing to make a single start](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/93805/Show/Okay-Yokuslu) in La Liga.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Phillips endorses move

Despite Yokuslu being rarely utilised in Spain, Phillips told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-backed-to-complete-yokuslu-signing-after-inside-sources-update-phillips/) that he believes the 27-year-old would be a better signing for Leeds than Reading midfielder John Swift, who has also been [linked](https://www.footballinsider247.com/leeds-united-swift-midfielder-talks/) with move to Elland Road. The former Sunderland striker outlined:

> “An experienced foreign player could be an option for Leeds, someone who has been around a bit.
>
> “Yokuslu would be a great option I think. He has experience in Europe as well as in the Premier League. I don’t think it would faze \[sic\] him, going to Leeds.
>
> “He was brilliant for that short spell in the Premier League with West Brom. Personally, I think that would be a better option than Swift. It would make a lot more sense to me.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-29/)

### The Verdict: Strong midfield signing

Yokuslu showed during his loan spell at West Brom last season that he can excel in the Premier League, impressing for a struggling team and winning an average of [2.6 aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/93805/History/Okay-Yokuslu) per game. His performances earned praise from Albion podcaster and journalist Adrian Goldberg, who [gushed](https://thisisfutbol.com/2021/03/blogs/championship/west-brom-championship/west-bromwich-albion-journalist-raves-over-okay-yokuslu/): “I think he’s such a forceful player, an excellent player.”

For that reason, the 27-year-old could be someone who could help fill the Phillips-shaped void in Leeds’ midfield, having also averaged [2.4 tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/93805/History/Okay-Yokuslu) per match for the Baggies – only [Stuart Dallas (2.6) and Adam Forshaw (2.5)](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Show/England-Leeds) have a better return for the Whites this season.

A loan move could even make sense as a short-term fix, with an impressive spell possibly then leading to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

***In other news, Leeds have been backed to sign one Championship player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/jason-knight-leeds-transfer-news-rooney/).***