Borna Barisic has emerged as a new target for Leeds United this month with the Croatian nearing the exit door at Rangers – and reports back in 2020 claimed that Leeds made an £8m bid for him.
Barisic, now 31, has entered the final six months of his contract at Ibrox. It comes after the Croatian star joined Rangers in Steven Gerrard’s first summer at the club, back in 2018. He’s since played 224 times.
In that time, he has played a crucial part in Rangers going unbeaten to win the Premiership, and reach the final of the Europa League. He has scored nine goals for Rangers, but laid on a huge 53 assists.
Even this season, Barisic has created five goals in his 23 games for the Gers. But his contract is up at the end of the season, and the race to sign him is growing. Leeds are now in the mix for the defender.
The report claims that Rangers want to keep him and are preparing to offer Barisic a new deal – with La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A clubs also keen. Barisic’s name will come as a recognisable one to Leeds fans.
Daniel Farke wants Borna Barisic, Leeds bid £8m for him in 2020
That is because, back in the summer following promotion to the Premier League, Croatian site Sportske Novosti claim Leeds have made an £8m bid for the left-back – with Marcelo Bielsa in the Leeds dugout.
But nothing materialised and Barisic has remained at Rangers since, starring for the Light Blues – even if he has earned criticism this term. He got a ‘hounding’ from fans for his display against Aris in October.
It is unclear how much Leeds would have to spend to sign Barisic now, with the defender in the final few months of his deal and 31. Farke has made it clear he is in the market to sign a new left-back this month.
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