Leeds United have “finally” made inroads into the European transfer market ahead of their Premier League return.
Daniel Farke’s side may have won the Championship with 100 points and 95 goals, but he and 49ers Enterprises are well aware that Leeds will still need to make significant improvements.
Football Insider revealed in April that only six members of Farke’s Championship-winning club were viewed as ready-made Premier League starters, one of whom was their Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon.
Lukas Nmecha has already been revealed as Leeds’ first signing of the summer, but his free transfer from Wolfsburg has been followed by a statement move as the 49ers demonstrate their strength.
Leeds United ‘finally’ confirms Jaka Bijol deal. Although Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and captain Ethan Ampadu all have Premier League experience and were rock-solid in defence for Leeds last season, there was still a need for reinforcements at centre-back.
Bijol swiftly emerged as the Whites’ first priority for strengthening their central defence, but their prolonged pursuit of the Slovenian international had left the door open for a potential hijack from Newcastle.
However, Leeds ‘eventually’ completed the signing of the Udinese defender on Monday, making him their second new recruit of the summer transfer season, and Bijol will offer Farke with plenty of defensive depth.
Leeds claimed in an Instagram post (23 June) that was liked by Largie Ramazani and Bijol’s future centre-back partner Rodon: “We are delighted to announce [that] defender Jaka Bijol has joined the club from Udinese”.
Bijol’s transfer will kick off Leeds’ rebirth.
Leeds fans’ mocking reaction to Bijol’s arrival follows weeks of discussions between the Whites and Udinese, during which 49ers Enterprises bartered the Serie A side down from their initial £17 million fee.
Bijol’s eventual £15 million move to Elland Road will most certainly be the end of the exit-linked Maximilian Wober, and Leeds’ £120 million transfer budget this summer offers Farke plenty of room to spend on other signings.
On 15 June, Football Insider stated that Newcastle will consider bids in the area of £10 million for midfielder Sean Longstaff, and with Bijol’s £15 million fee off to a good start, Leeds should prioritize these logical moves.
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