Leeds United have been re-linked with a move for FC Koln’s Dejan Ljubicic as their search for a new midfielder continues.
Daniel Farke said as early as after the second pre-season match he wanted to strengthen in that position, yet with just a week-and-a-half of the window remaining, Leeds still haven’t found one.
In fact, that it was one of four signings Leeds are still on the lookout for, with Farke twice going on the record publicly last week that it’s what they want.
Leeds lost both Archie Gray and Glen Kamara very early in pre-season and so you could be forgiven for thinking it is incredibly negligent from the board to be in this position for the second season in a row.
Ljubicic is the only real concrete name to have been linked so far, but Leeds have not returned with another bid since their first one of £3.3 million was rejected. Surely they have been looking elsewhere.
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Leeds should look at Bournemouth’s Philip Billing
Given that not one of Leeds’ midfielders were able to find the back of the net across the entirety of last season’s league campaign, goals is what Farke wants from that position.
Ilia Gruev has played in a more advanced midfield role in the opening two matches but it has already become clear it is a role he is not suited to.
Joe Rothwell has also been brought in, though it would appear he is seen as more of a squad player and so Leeds should look at one of his former Bournemouth teammates Philip Billing.
Billing managed just 13 league starts, with 12 of those actually coming before Christmas. He also played just six minutes of their opening day draw at Nottingham Forest, and so is clearly someway down the pecking order.
Given his experience, height, eye for goal and quality on the ball, Billing would be the perfect midfield signing for Leeds. He would add a real presence alongside Ethan Ampadu.
In his 192 appearances for Bournemouth, Billing has 31 goals and 20 assists and that sort of output is exactly what Farke is crying out for in there.
Billing hit double figures the last time he played in the Championship when Bournemouth were promoted, and given his lack of minutes, Leeds could be the ideal place to kick start his career again.
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What is Leeds’ current transfer state of play?
Georginio Rutter’s £40 million move to Brighton was officially confirmed last night and that now means no club has made more from player sales in Europe this summer.
That should give Leeds an absolute war chest to spend in these next 11 days, but unfortunately in the Championship, that does not always count for much.
In terms of links, Leeds are looking at Jack Clarke and Jonathan Rowe as potential options, though both will clearly be expensive.
Liverpool’s Owen Beck has been mentioned as a left-back option, but aside from Ljubicic, it is unclear who they will target in midfield.
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