Leeds United have prioritised four positions this summer with The 49ers handing Daniel Farke and Adam Underwood a big, healthy transfer budget in The Whites’ bid to avoid relegation.
A goalkeeper, centre-back, midfielder and a proven striker have been identified as key signings with Paraag Marathe setting aside a £150m transfer budget. Leeds are going to give it a go this summer.
Plenty of players have been linked in each position with Farke not only requiring improvements to his starting XI, but more strength in depth as Leeds look to buck the trend of promoted sides going down.
A new top target has emerged in the middle of the defence, in the form of Udinese’s 62-time Slovenia international Jaka Bijol. The defender has been strongly linked with Leeds over the past 24 hours.
What Leeds are planning to do next week with Jaka Bijol
Leeds are interested in doing a £17m deal for Jaka Bijol, after another impressive season in Serie A with mid-table Udinese. With Max Wober likely to leave and Pascal Struijk often injured, Bijol is needed.
He seems the ideal type of signing. Experienced, having clocked up more than 250 club appearances and a huge 62 caps for his country – but still only 26. For less than £20m, Leeds are eyeing a solid signing.
According to Italian site TMW, Leeds have made contact with Udinese regarding Bijol and are planning to open negotiations over a deal in the ‘next few days’. Bijol has a contract until the summer of 2027.
What Udinese’s Jaka Bijol has said about his future this summer
It had not been 24 hours after links with Leeds and both Milan clubs before Bijol was asked about his future at Udinese and interestingly, Bijol made it clear that he would be open to leaving this summer.
Bijol said he is ready to leave Udinese and has no preference over staying in Italy, or moving to the Premier League. He said: “It is true that I feel ready for this next step, let’s see if it starts this summer.”
Whether Leeds can see off competition from some of Italy’s biggest-ever clubs remains to be seen. But Bijol seems the perfect signing and if Leeds can do a deal, they are getting themselves a serious player.
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