Leeds United's Victor Orta expects 'ethical' behaviour from clubs over player availability and movement
Orta, who recently went on record to suggest now was a time to invest in scouting and not to scale back, says the Elland Road recruitment department are using their time wisely.
There might not be any live football to scout in most markets around the world, but that doesn't mean his team can sit idle.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdLeeds, who must prepare to recruit players for a side who will play either Premier League or Championship football next season, depending how the current campaign is decided, are broadening their analysis of the men they could bring to LS11.
"We've been using this time to do more video analysis of players," he said, in a video chat with BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague."In a normal situation this happens, just not in May because we normally know where we are. Now the availability of players and the new budget is really uncertain.
"Perhaps it's a good moment for our analysis to be deeper, more concrete, and then at the next step we have all the subjects (targets) and can make better decisions (on signings)."
The EFL are still investigating, alongside member clubs, whether or not the Championship season could yet be finished on the pitch, behind closed doors. They will meet tomorrow to discuss the way forward, after the FA told Premier League chairmen that relegation could not be scrapped and declaring the season null and void was not an option.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdEFL chairman Rick Parry has put a July 31 deadline on the possibility of completing the season, due to the conclusion of hundreds of player contracts.
By that time, loan deals will have run out and players like Brighton defender, Manchester City winger Jack Harrison and RB Leipzig striker Jean-Kevin Augustin could hypothetically be recalled by their parent clubs.
Leeds have an option to buy with both Harrison and Augustin, alongside loanee goalkeeper Illan Meslier from FC Lorient.
But, with most clubs in the same boat, Orta expects 'ethical' behaviour when it comes to player availability and movement.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"If I had a player with the option to buy now, because I expected the season to be finished, and one team uses that date to sell the player for more money to another team, it wouldn't look good, to use one big problem and benefit," he said.
"Uefa is talking about extending contracts by six or seven weeks, and some lawyers are saying that if the season hasn't ended, the contract hasn't ended.
"In this moment we talk about helping each other and football is the same. This is a crisis and if anybody takes benefit, for me it would be a big surprise. I don't think the football industry will do this.
"It looks complex but it's one player, two teams and changing the date. I trust in the goodwill of people and relationships that we can make (it happen)."