Leeds United are starting to finalise transfer targets and make their initial bids to sign them across all areas of the side.
The 49ers will be keen to give Daniel Farke the best Leeds United team possible to compete in the Premier League and make a good fist of things next season.
The transfer dominoes will soon fall into place and we have seen movement on that front already elsewhere but not in the centre of defence much as of now.
A number of players have been linked to Leeds already, but one target made our Leeds dream XI in the form of Jaka Bijol for when the window is shut.
Leeds interest emerges in Udinese defender Jaka Bijol
Bijol was suggested as a Leeds target previously, and Leeds want four priority signings, which are a goalkeeper, a centre-back, a central midfielder, and a striker.
The first four transfers for Leeds are obvious, including Bijol. A peak-age defender of the 26-year-old’s type is paramount this summer for a team expected to fight relegation.
Leeds have to acquire more in that area and cannot rely on a midfielder in that role in the form of Ethan Ampadu or the perennially injured Max Wober.
As vice-captain of Udinese, he will bring vitally important intangibles such as leadership to the dressing room as well. He has now been officially linked with a switch to West Yorkshire.
Leeds have been linked via Marco Conterio of Tutto Mercato Web, who states Leeds’ interest is strong on Bijol from Udinese . They want a reinforcement in defence and have set their sights on the Slovenian.
Udinese, owned by the Pozzo family of Watford, have requested a fee of around €20 million (£16.8 million) to let him go, and he is one of the hottest names on the market.
He impressed at EURO 2024 last summer, against England no less, and has plenty of the attributes needed for a team expected to be fighting against relegation next season.
Sports Zone on X state that Bijol and Leeds have now agreed on personal terms. He’s one of the top priorities for the club. However, they understand both Milan clubs and Roma are monitoring the situation closely.
Jaka Bijol’s career stats with Leeds interest mounting
The 62-cap Slovenia international has become one of the best central defenders in Italy’s Serie A outside of the top five or six clubs. He also captained his national team yesterday to a 1-0 win over Luxembourg.
Leeds need physicality and warriors, as well as the height to be vital in both boxes at attacking and defending set-pieces. Bijol averages a yellow card every five games and is more than willing to get stuck in.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Rudar Valenje | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| CSKA Moscow | 96 | 7 | 8 |
| Hannover 96 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| Udinese | 95 | 5 | 4 |
| Slovenia | 62 | 1 | 2 |
Bijol has all of the required attributes, while also being a capable player on the ball as well. He has operated as the central centre-back in a back three system for much of his time at Udinese, but he can be utilised in a back four on both the right and left.
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