Chelsea ‘approach Leeds director Victor Orta and Bayer Leverkusen boss in hunt for transfer guru after Freund’s rejection’

CHELSEA have reportedly been focused on signing Leeds United’s Victor Orta or Bayer Leverkusen’s Tim Steidten as their new sporting director.

Christoph Freund has confirmed that he snubbed the Stamford Bridge club for staying at RB Salzburg.

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He revealed last night that he was “proud” to be in talks with the Blues about a similar role, but claimed leaving his Austrian club was “out of the question”.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wants a sporting director in place ahead of the January transfer window.

The American has had to manage the Blues’ summer business alone but would like an expert to work alongside new manager Graham Potter.

Now, a new report from The Telegraph says he has two more targets in mind.

They claim that “Steidten is among those Chelsea will be speaking to” about the vacant role.

While “the merits of Leeds director of football Orta have been considered by Blues bosses ‘along with others’, they are said to have been debated.

Chelsea’s new owners have dealt with both Steidten and Orta during the summer transfer window.

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi left west London to join Leverkusen on loan, while Chelsea also tried to broker a deal with Leeds for Raphinha, who eventually opted to sign for Barcelona instead.

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Orta also has experience in other parts of England after a stint in Middlesbrough before moving to Leeds in 2017.

PSG boss Luis Campos is also believed to be on Boehly’s shortlist as the club are reportedly ready to offer him a staggering £135,000-a-week.

Former Liverpool transfer boss Michael Edwards was also on the Blues’ radar over the summer but it seems Boehly is starting to look elsewhere.