Jaka Bijol’s Leeds United move will propel him ahead of Jan Oblak, just behind Arsenal target Benjamin Sesko

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Jaka Bijol is on the verge of a move to Leeds United with his move to Elland Road all but confirmed at the time of writing on Sunday morning – in a move that will see Leeds pay Udinese almost £19m.

A move to Elland Road has long been done, with Fabrizio Romano reassuring Leeds fans that Bijol will be a Leeds player. Beren Cross told Leeds fans that he has been reassured many times a deal will be done.

Leeds fans are playing the waiting game for the club to announce his signing, but as of yet, nothing has materialised. Leeds have agreed an £18.75m fee with Udinese, having cost Udinese around £3m in 2022.

Bijol will become the second Slovenian to ever play for Leeds after forgotten playmaker Zan Benedicic, while manager Darko Milanic was also from Slovenia – but where does he rank among Slovenian records?

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Jaka Bijol will be Slovenia’s second-most-expensive player ever

Currently, the most-expensive transfer involving a Slovenian player is, unsurprisingly, Benjamin Sesko. The talismanic striker swapped Salzburg for Leipzig in a deal worth around £20.5m in the summer of 2022.

Of course, Sesko is now being touted with an £85m move to Arsenal (Goal) after two excellent seasons in Germany. Strangely, the second-most-expensive Slovenian is Kevin Kampl at £17m, also joining Leipzig.

More than 10 years ago, Jan Oblak joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica for £13.75m. With Bijol costing Leeds around £18.75m, he goes in as his nation’s second-most-expensive deal, above Oblak and Kampl.

What are Leeds expected to do after Jaka Bijol’s arrival?

The priorities after Bijol’s signing are obvious. Leeds will still need a goalkeeper, a left-back to replace Junior Firpo, a new midfielder, a no.10, a replacement for Manor Solomon and a new leading striker.

Leeds have seen a bid rejected for Rodrigo Muniz and are said to be in advanced talks to land Lecce’s Montenegro ace Nikola Krstovic. Lille’s Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson could replace Firpo.

Leeds have been told Habib Diarra will cost a further £4m, after an initial £21m bid was rejected while Graeme Bailey has informed LeedsUnited.News will sign Emi Buendia or Gustavo Hamer in the 10 role.