Dejan Ljubicic transfer: Everyone at Leeds United says same thing about bid for deal
Graham Smyth “wouldn’t be shocked” to see Leeds United go back in with a bigger bid for 1.FC Koln midfielder Dejan Ljubicic this summer.
German newspaper BILD Rheinland reported on 26 July (page 14) that the Whites are lining up a new bid for the 26-year-old Austria international after their opening offer was rejected.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth reported via his personal X account on Sunday (28 July) that everyone at Elland Road is relaxed about a potential deal for Ljubicic, who scored in a friendly for Koln on Saturday (27 July).
“With a year left on his deal I’d be surprised [if Koln block a transfer],” said Smyth. “Nothing further on it yet but I wouldn’t be shocked if Leeds threw a couple more Deutschmarks at it. But they don’t feel time pressured yet. Everyone I’ve spoken to has been very calm about it.”
Dean Ljubicic to Leeds United makes a lot of sense
It’s no surprise that Leeds currently find themselves in the market for a midfielder this summer.
The club has lost two of their regular starters from last season in Archie Gray and Glen Kamara.
Usually, the sales of two regular starters wouldn’t be something unheard of from Leeds but the fact that two players have been allowed to exit from the same positions outlines how strong the deals for both were.
Granted, Gray joining Tottenham would’ve likely been a situation the West Yorkshire outfit wanted to avoid, however, since the club had to abide by the EFL’s PSR regulations, it meant that the 18-year-old’s exit was a necessary evil.
The Whites have already brought Joe Rothwell in for some midfield reinforcement but there’s no doubt at least one more defensive midfielder is needed.
Ljubicic has played in Germany’s top flight for a while now and was a regular feature in Koln’s squad during 2023/24.
And, the fact that his contract is running out at the end of the term is a key factor in why a deal makes sense for both parties.
In other Leeds news, Daniel Farke has shared a new transfer update for the Whites.
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