Leeds United have stepped things up a gear this week as Adam Underwood looks to make his first move as the club’s sporting director – with Leeds locked in talks to sign Jaka Bijol.
Over the weekend, reports emerged that Leeds were very interested in signing Udinese defender Bijol. The 26-year-old is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with Udinese, at the end of June.
A 62-time Slovenia international, Bijol admitted that he is keen to leave Udinese while on international duty. Leeds planned to open £17m talks for Bijol this week, and things are all pointing towards a deal.
Joe Donnohue says Italian sources believe Leeds will meet Udinese’s asking price, for a defender that is renowned as one of Europe’s best centre-backs in the air. Now, teammate Sandi Lovric has commented.
What Udinese star Sandi Lovric has said about Jaka Bijol’s future
Leeds are not the only side being linked with a move for Bijol, with Roma, Juventus and both Milan sides also said to be interested in the Slovenia ace. But it seems Leeds are on pole and making the first move.
In quoted published by TuttoMercatoWeb, Udinese’s Lovric was asked about his teammate’s future and said that he hopes Udinese can keep Bijol as well as linked-away striker Lorenzo Lucca this summer.
“Having them still with us is important, we are talking about very important players. Two starters, but I don’t know what they will do this summer. But for now they are still our players. Let’s see what happens.”
Leeds United’s winners and losers if Jaka Bijol signs on
Bijol would be a stunning signing. There are doubts over whether Underwood has what it takes to be sporting director, with some concerned the club decided to promote within, rather than hire externally.
However, if Underwood can sign Bijol and deal with the notoriously tricky Pozzo family, then he wins himself some trust. He would certainly be a big winner if Leeds manage to get Bijol over the line.
Joe Rodon would also be a winner, getting himself a permanent centre-back partner. But for Pascal Struijk and Max Wober, who Leeds have told will be offloaded, fall further down the Leeds pecking order.
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