Leeds United will soon complete the signing of Jaka Bijol, with the Udinese defender currently undergoing a medical in West Yorkshire ahead of a €22 million move – and the central defender could be joined by a compatriot after Fabrizio Romano confirmed interest from Daniel Farke’s team.
The Whites are busily bolstering their team ahead of their return to the Premier League, and on Wednesday, they revealed their game schedule for the 2025/26 season. Leeds United’s goal is simple: avoid the same immediate return to the second tier as the last six promoted sides.
And, while many acknowledge that the job is easier said than done, with the gap between the Premier League and the Championship possibly never being bigger, many observers believe Daniel Farke’s side may at least be one to defy the trend.
Lukas Nmecha, their first signing since promotion, joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg on Sunday.
A second deal is on the verge of being completed in the form of Udinese defender Bijol, with Leeds agreeing to pay a fee of €22 million (£18.75 million, $25.4 million) to ensure they are not scooped by AC Milan or Newcastle, both of whom are investigating a possible hijack for the transfer of the 63-times capped Slovenia defender.
And, with personal terms already agreed, Leeds will soon be able to introduce signing number two of the summer to their supporters, with the 26-year-old poised to sign an initial three-year contract.
Bijol’s signing will immediately land Farke one of his top summer goals, with the defender anticipated to fit in alongside Joe Rodon, with Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu likely to provide insurance. However, Max Wober has been granted permission to go.
The Whites will now focus on improving three additional areas to bolster their ranks, with a versatile full-back, a recently relegated Premier League midfielder, and a promising striker all in their sights.
However, according to Romano, Leeds are also in the running to recruit another Slovenian player, Lovro Golic.
Leeds one of three keen on signing of Roma defender Golic – Romano
The adolescent defender has been at Roma since 2022, when he transferred from NK Domzale in his home country. The then-16-year-old was anticipated to perform well after signing a three-year contract.
Despite being called up for first-team training, Golic, who is now representing his country at the UEFA Under-19s Championships, has never featured for the senior side.
And, with his contract expiring this summer, Roma has decided not to prolong his stay.
According to Romano, Leeds are one of three clubs interested in signing the teenage talent.
The Italian trade guru wrote on his X account: “Slovenian defender Lovro Golic will leave AS Roma as a free agent, decision made.” Hoffenheim, Lecce, and Leeds United are among the clubs looking to sign Slovenian U21 talent.
Adding another quality center-back to their roster would be a wise decision for the Whites, as the deal is regarded as reasonably low-risk.
They now have James Debayo (19) on their roster, and Diogo Monteiro, a Portuguese Under-19s international, is another young player hoping to make the move up.
Leeds transfer round-up: Exciting trio targeted; Juventus star offered to Whites
Meanwhile, we can confirm that United are forging ahead with their ambitious transfer ambitions, with Rodrigo Muniz, Semih Kilicsoy, and Noah Sadiki all on their radar – with sources laying out the likelihood of the triple deal being completed.
Leeds will reportedly be ‘contacted by intermediaries’ to discuss a potential move for a Juventus midfield player that the club is anxious to sell this summer.
Finally, Leeds, along with Nottingham Forest and Sunderland, are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid player Reinildo Mandava, who will be available for free transfer.
Who is new Leeds transfer target Lovro Golic?
Golic, who was born in Celje, Slovenia in 2006, began his career with NK Domzale before signing with Roma’s U17 club for €200,000 in 2022.
The centre-back rose through the ranks, earning his U19 debut (at the time, the highest age category in Italian junior football) in March 2023.
Jose Mourinho summoned him into first-team training around that time, startling older players like Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham because he was only 16.
“When I entered the field, Mourinho asked Paulo what he thought of me, and he replied that I looked like a real wall,” Golic, who is 1.95m tall, recalled in an interview at the time. “When Mourinho told him that I was 16 years old, he was incredulous.”
Golic appeared 18 times for Roma’s primary youth squad (now the U20s) in 2024-25, when they finished first in their league but lost in the play-offs, which he was unable to participate in since his contract expired.
Ultimately, Golic never made his senior debut for Roma and is now looking for his next challenge.
Prior to any announcement of his next move, he had some international responsibilities to attend to. Slovenia called up Golic for the U21 Euros at the end of the season, and he played the bulk of their goalless draw against England in the group stage.
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