Leeds United’s search for new signings in the transfer market continues after the club confirmed the arrival of Jaka Bijol from Udinese, and it appears Leeds have tried to raid another Serie A side.
Bijol joins the club after three years at Udinese, while Leeds have also been strongly linked – at least, in Italy – with Nikola Krstovic of Lecce. It appears Serie A is a significant scouting pool for The Whites.
Leeds are expected to remain busy in the window with the Yorkshire outfit still needing a goalkeeper, a replacement for Junior Firpo, a midfielder, a no.10, Manor Solomon or a winger and a starting striker.
LeedsUnited.News are expected to sign either Emi Buendia or Gustavo Hamer to provide competition for Brenden Aaronson this summer. But it appears Leeds have tried to sign a 76-time Croatia international.
Leeds see enquiry rejected for Atalanta star Mario Pasalic
A teammate of former Leeds target Charles De Ketelaere, 30-year-old Pasalic has sparkled for Atalanta over the last seven years. He initially joined the Serie A side on a two-year loan from Chelsea in 2018.
That move was made permanent in the summer of 2020 and he has remained at Atalanta since, playing 298 times for Atalanta – 254 times in Serie A. He’s had a hand in a whopping 99 goals in that time.
Pasalic, though, is out of contract come Monday. However, TuttoMercatoWeb say he will sign a three-year deal with Atalanta until 2028 – after rejecting enquiries from Leeds and Sunderland in the ‘last few hours’.
Mario Pasalic could have been Leeds jewel in the crown
When it comes to realistic targets, Leeds have been linked with some big names this summer. Bijol’s arrival is seen as a coup, given Leeds have got one of Serie A’s best centre-backs for a measly £15m.
If Leeds had tried to sign the captain of a mid-table Premier League side, it is likely that player would have cost double. Pasalic, though, would have been a real gem and available on a free, prior to his new deal.
Pasalic has not only starred at Atalanta, but he has impressed with Monaco, Milan, Elche, Spartak Moscow and Hajduk Split. A player that easily adapts to new countries, 460 club appearances and 76 caps.
A player with 91 goals and 53 assists for club and country throughout his career, right at the top level of European football. A shame then, that the German-born midfielder is set to stay put at Atalanta.
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