Dejan Ljubicic push to force through dream Leeds United transfer causes major agent bust up
Dejan Ljubicic has been dropped by star agent Volker Struth after the midfielder and his entourage tried to force through a “dream” move to Leeds United, according to BILD.
The German tabloid reported via their website on 23 August that a “mega-fuss” has developed at FC Koln where the 2. Bundesliga club have vetoed an exit to Elland Road, with the Whites’ offer of €4million [£3.4m] unsuccessful [Kicker, 18 August].
Not only has the move fallen through but Struth and agency Sports360 GmbH have ended their relationship with Ljubicic after it became impossible to work with him.
Many members of the Austrian’s inner circle are said to have become involved in attempting to push through the Whites switch despite Koln’s wishes, causing surprise at how many people tried to negotiate on his behalf rather than Struth.
Ljubicic prevoiusly parted ways with agent Dirk Hebel last summer after trying to move to Werder Bremen under different representation, meaning he has now reportedly changed agents five times in the past year and a half.
FC Koln ace dropped by agent Volker Struth over Leeds United deal
Daniel Farke is on the brink of getting his second attacking reinforcement in with Tottenham’s Manor Solomon due to join [David Ornstein, 24 August] after Largie Ramazani from Almeria.
But he has been waiting for a new central midfielder to replace Glen Kamara for a month now since the Finn left for Rennes [Leeds Live, 13 July].
On paper Ljubicic would be a decent option to take on that role and Koln’s relegation might have raised hopes at Elland Road that a deal could be done.
But the fallout from the collapse might be throwing out a few warning signs that suggest the Whites are better off without the headache.
This summer’s window is starting to resemble last summer’s in certain ways, with a late push required in the final days before the deadline to get business finished long after the season got underway.
Just as the Whites lost patience at the saga which saw Nadiem Amiri’s potential move from Bayern Leverkusen twist back and forth multiple times [Kicker, 28 August] a year ago amid influence from family [Kicker, 3 November] and eventually pulled the plug after a visit to the city.
Now it looks like drama surrounding another possible midfield signing from Germany is becoming an annual feature.
The Whites eventually responded a year go by signing Kamara from Rangers and Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen just inside the deadline, so fans will have to hope the club can do something similar 12 months on.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have agreed to pay a large slice of a £60,000-a-week contract to land another new signing before the deadline.
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