Finally, it looks like Leeds United are going to do some business. A summer which has consisted of player after player being linked with Leeds, without The Whites acting on said interest.
But reports over the weekend seemed to suggest that Udinese’s Jaka Bijol could well end up at Elland Road. After initial reports that Leeds wanted Bijol, plans were in place for Leeds to accelerate talks.
Joe Donnohue says Italian sources have informed him that Leeds are expected to meet Udinese’s price tag for the 26-year-old, who has 62 Slovenia caps and has captained both club and country in 2024-25.
Meanwhile, Leeds have tabled a £21.9m bid for Habib Diarra. The Strasbourg skipper was excellent under Liam Rosenior last season and if he signs, Diarra would be Leeds’ sixth-biggest buy in the club’s history.
Leeds United’s starting line-up if Diarra and Bijol sign on
So, Leeds look set to splash out a combined £40m – or close to that figure – on two key positions. Bijol is a top signing and while Diarra is only 21, he already has 100 senior games and four Senegal appearances.
That could be five on Tuesday night when Senegal face England at The City Ground. So, what will Daniel Farke’s starting XI look like if Leeds do land Bijol and Diarra, with both players expected to start for Leeds.
Bijol will obviously come in at centre-back but Diarra’s arrival may mean a slight change in midfield. One that will be needed to provide Leeds with a bit more defensive stability – a three-man triangle in midfield.
Obviously, Junior Firpo is expected to go and Manor Solomon may not join permanently, while the club are also set to bring in a new goalkeeper. There is every chance a new striker could also be signed.
Pascal Struijk and Brenden Aaronson dropped from Farke’s XI
If Leeds are signing a top-quality centre-back in Bijol, then there is only one player that is going to be dropped. No chance, does Joe Rodon come out of the side. It will be £25m-rated star Pascal Struijk.
It is a concern for Struijk. Immediately coming out of the starting XI, Struijk’s future at Leeds will then be more flexible and The 49ers have identified Struijk as a possible sale if the club need to strengthen PSR.
Not only will Struijk come out of the side, but he could be sold. The other of course is Brenden Aaronson – who was always likely to be axed. Aaronson is also considering his future ahead of a home World Cup.
Farke will obviously prefer to keep Struijk and Aaronson as options off the bench, and as cover. But this is football and if both are dropped, there are solid-enough reasons for Leeds to sell both players.
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