Leeds United bid to sign Dejan Ljubicic gains momentum as transfer value slashed in half
Dejan Ljubicic is “desperate to leave” Koln as Leeds United bid to sign the Austria midfielder, according to BILD.
The German newspaper reported via their website on Tuesday (20 August) that rumours about the 26-year-old’s future at the 2.Bundesliga club are “gaining momentum” with him pushing to leave the RheinEnergieSTADION before the transfer window shuts on 30 August.
It is understood that Leeds are bidding £3.4million for the Vienna-born defensive midfielder, whose transfer value has halved in the last six months due to the fact his contract expires next summer.
BILD adds that Ljubicic has checked out at Koln, reporting that he’s “wanted to move for weeks is no longer focused on his club”.
Leeds United close in on Dejan Ljubicic transfer from FC Koln
Ljubicic sounds like he’s mentally left Koln already.
The midfielder saw a move to Wolfsburg collapse last year and the German second-tier club, who were relegated from the Bundesliga last year, are only keeping hold of him because they’re banned from signing anyone new until January.
Leeds will be able to agree a pre-contract deal for Ljubicic from January but once that happens, he’ll be free for anyone to talk to so there’s less chance of being able to strike a deal for him.
Plus, will the Whites even want him in January? You’d assume that if they cannot sign the defensive midfielder now, they will move on to another target and therefore not need him.
Ljubicic is a nine-time Austria international with 83 Bundesliga appearances as well as experience in the Europa League proper and Champions League qualifiers.
He’s got pedigree and the Red Bull and Austrian link could make for a good match on a commercial basis, at least.
But Leeds need to get deals done as soon as possible. Koln cannot afford to sell Ljubicic but they also cannot afford to keep an unhappy player who’s just going to leave for free next year anyway.
They’ll cave in at the eleventh hour if Leeds stick at it.
In other Leeds United news, a move’s been made to sign a player from Crysencio Summerville’s former club Feyenoord.
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