Leeds United want to sign Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Djordje Jovanovic, watched him last month
Leeds United want to sign Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Djordje Jovanovic after scouting him on international duty last month, according to Sports Walla.
The Whites are expected to lose a host of stars this summer after their relegation to the Championship, with several attacking players tipped to move elsewhere.
That means replacements will be needed and the club are said to be in talks for Jovanovic, who scored 22 goals last season in all competitions for his current club, after they made him available for transfer.
“Leeds United, the English luxury club that was relegated to the minor league at the end of the season, is interested in signing Maccabi Tel Aviv striker George Jovanovic,” they wrote (2 July).
“The club followed the Serbian striker who also played in the national team’s uniform last month, after he was removed from his national team’s squad for the World Cup.
“Maccabi Tel Aviv, which wishes to sell him in order to promote Dor Turgeman, will demand at least double the amount for which he was purchased from Chokarichki – 1.9 million euros (£1.6m).
“In the meantime, he will join the training.”
Gamble
Jovanovic is a little known player in these waters, but his talent is obvious after scoring 22 goals last season for Maccabi Tel Aviv and representing his country.
The Serbian has three caps and was left out of the World Cup squad back in November, but reacted by smashing goals in and it now seems possible that those goals caught the attention of Leeds.
It’s also possible that this is the Robbie Keane effect after he took over as manager at the club in recent weeks, having been part of Sam Allardyce’s backroom staff as we got relegated.
He may have helped the team out in their search for a forward, knowing the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Crysencio Summerville and Luis Sinisterra could all leave.
It would be a relatively cheap deal to do and if he can transfer his form from Israel to England, then he could be a real hit at Elland Road.
In other Leeds news, report shares if exit-bound stars will be at pre-season on Monday.