Now or never for Leeds United January transfer after Rangers update on Borna Barisic
Leeds United are facing a now-or-never situation in the January transfer window after Rangers tabled a contract offer to Borna Barisic amid interest in his signature, according to Football Scotland.
The Scottish news outlet reported on 14 January that, amid interest from Leeds and from around Europe, Rangers want Barisic to sign a new deal and have put the option forward for him to consider.
As a result, Leeds will have to make their move to convince the Croatian that a move to Elland Road would be his best option in January before he makes his mind up on the Ibrox offer.
The need for a new left-back at Elland Road has become more of a pressing issue after concerns surrounding Sam Byram’s patchy injury record were proved correct, with the defender suffering several knockbacks of late, and Barisic is one that has been identified as a potential option.
As things stand, Barisic is out of contract at Rangers at the end of this season, meaning Leeds may be able to get him in on a free transfer in the summer although it would mean waiting another six months to do the deal.
However, the Scottish giants would not be willing to let their first-choice left-back leave in January, with Ridvan Yilmaz set to leave Ibrox which will leave Barisic as their only option despite attempts to bring in a new player in January.
If Leeds can get in Barisic’s ear and convince him not to sign an extension in Glasgow through the promise of a move to Yorkshire in the summer, perhaps with an unofficial pre-contract arrangement, then that must be the plan for the Elland Road club.
By no means will it be an easy deal to do, with Barisic a long-serving player at Rangers with a connection to the club which may make it difficult for him to cut ties on a personal level.
The talk of a new deal for the left-back has come from nowhere, with previous expectations hinting he would be leaving at the end of the season, but it means Leeds must act now in their chase for his signature.
In other Leeds United news, the club are likely to keep a close eye on the Everton PSR situation.