Leeds United make ‘smart’ Dejan Ljubicic decision after new transfer update
Leeds United face competition in their bid to sign FC Koln midfielder Dejan Ljubicic, according to Nancy Froston.
Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel (26 July), The Athletic journalist said they have been tracking the nine-cap Austria international for possibly a year but are not the only team tracking the 26-year-old.
The Whites have already had one £3.4million bid rejected for the Austrian international [Bild, 26 July], and Froston added that while he’s a leading option to replace Glen Kamara, United won’t be drawn into a bidding war having bid at a “smart” moment.
Froston said: “I don’t think Leeds are the only club in the mix on this. It could be a case that they get outbid, and there’s probably a point at which they might walk away.
“He definitely fits the type of player that Daniel Farke wants. Another central midfielder, preferably that box-to-box type having lost Kamara.”
“It sounds like Leeds have been tracking him for a while, possibly a year or more, and they’ve gone in now, which looking at the contract situation, is a smart time to do it.”
Dejan Ljubicic transfer could be ideal fit for Leeds United
Kamara’s £6.8m departure to Rennes has opened up a gap in the Peacocks’ midfield that Farke will be keen to fill as soon as possible, with the start of the new Championship season just days away.
Fabrizio Romano has said that the Whites could wait to sell Crysencio Summerville before pursuing a new midfielder [26 June], but Farke’s priority will be getting a player like Ljubicic through the door first.
As well as the loss of Kamara – a regular alongside Ilia Gruev in Farke’s 4-2-3-1 formation last season – United’s midfield looks set to have a different composition with several other players in contention.
Joe Rothwell has already joined on a season-long loan from Bournemouth, while Brenden Aaronson’s return from his loan spell at Union Berlin adds another new dimension in the middle of the park.
That kind of depth should give Farke the freedom to sign his ideal Kamara replacement, and if that is Ljubicic, the German will be wasting no time as he looks to get United’s promotion bid up and running.
In other Leeds news, Beren Cross shone a light on the defensive improvements Farke needs to make ahead of next season.
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