Leeds United first summer transfer looks nailed on as club now identify two apparent replacements

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United are locked in talks with Serie A side Udinese over a deal to sign centre-back Jaka Bijol – and the latest reports clearly show Udinese expect Bijol to leave.

The 26-year-old defender has been strongly linked with a move to Leeds over the past week, after initial reports that Leeds had made an approach for the 63-time Slovenia star, costing an eight-figure fee.

Beren Cross reported that a deal would cost somewhere between £12.7m and £15.2m, but Sky Italy’s Gianluca Di Marzio gave a further update on Thursday – saying Leeds had an initial bid for Bijol rejected.

Now, Italian site CalcioMercato deliver an update with talks between Leeds and Udinese ongoing and said to be progressing nicely. Bijol is now expected to end up at Elland Road in the coming days and weeks.

• READ MORE: Winners and losers if Leeds do end up selling Mateo Joseph to Real Betis

Udinese are planning for life without Leeds target Jaka Bijol

A report from CM on Thursday states that Udinese have identified two possible centre-back signings as they look to replace the loss of Bijol. Clearly, there is a feeling at Udinese that Bijol will leave the club.

They claim that Spezia duo Przemyslaw Wisniewski and Nicolo Bertola are on Udinese’s wishlist with the Serie A side set to receive a decent up-front sum for their star defender. Bijol then, will be replaced.

It shows that Udinese feel Bijol is on his way. It comes after Bijol admitted himself he would like to “take the leap” and leave Udinese, where he has a contract until June 2026. He is open to a move to England.

Bijol is just one of several players Leeds have held talks to sign

It has been a busy week for Adam Underwood and Leeds with the club seemingly stepping up their work to bring in some new players. Bijol was the first of a handful of players that Leeds are in talks to sign.

Leeds have bid £22m for Strasbourg captain Habib Diarra, while Leeds have opened talks for Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno after he returned from a loan at Forest. The same for Anderlecht gem Mario Stroeykens.

Then, on Wednesday, Ben Jacobs said Leeds had made an approach to sign Reinildo Mandava on a free from Atletico Madrid – but so have Forest and Sunderland. Reinildo is keen on a move to England.