Leeds ‘ready to sign Struijk upgrade’ amid £17m Elland Road developments
Leeds United have plenty of work to do in the summer transfer window.
Daniel Farke is looking for top-quality signings to bolster his squad for their survival bid in the Premier League.
The Elland Road outfit faces a tough season, considering how the newly-promoted sides fared last season, with all three returning to the Championship.
Pascal Struijk has suffered serious injuries in consecutive seasons now, and he could be set for a smaller role at Elland Road.
Leeds bid for Bijol should worry Struijk
Struijk was a key man for Farke’s side last season, featuring 35 times in the promotion-winning campaign.
However, there are concerns surrounding his ability to cut it at the top level and Leeds are looking to bring in Slovenian centre-back Jaka Bijol from Udinese, with a £17million bid likely to be accepted.
Iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that the Whites are looking to improve their options at the heart of defence, which could spell danger for the Dutchman.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, he said: “I think he was pretty good at the Euros, Slovenia, they played England didn’t they, they went out but they didn’t concede many goals.
“They obviously think he is an upgrade on Struijk, I mean, they have seen Struijk in the Premier League, they know what he can and cannot do.
“They may be just looking to bolster the squad, but there are going to be a few comings and goings. We are still pretty early in the window, aren’t we?
“I seem to remember that guy being surprisingly solid and good, and I remember commentating at the Euros and saying these Slovenian defenders are no slouches.”
Leeds should keep Struijk around
Struijk has been linked with a move away from Yorkshire this season but Farke and Co should avoid any offers that they receive.
He was a key member of the squad last season and while it remains to been whether that impact will be similar in the top-flight, they would need to add another defender if they lose the Dutch star.
Even if they would prefer Bijol to start alongside Joe Rodon, depth is absolutely vital at the elite level, so he must be kept in LS11 at all costs.