Jaka Bijol has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Leeds United, but Newcastle United have also joined the race for the Slovenia international.
Leeds United have reached an agreement with Udinese defender Bijol, but their Premier League rivals Newcastle have joined the race for the 26-year-old.
Newcastle join Leeds in race for Bijol
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 26: Jaka Bijol of Udinese Calcio heads the ball during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on November 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
According to the latest report of Sacha Tavolieri for Sky Sport CH, the Slovenian centre-back has already shaken hands with Leeds and even told his teammates that he’d leave the club in the summer transfer window.
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However, the newly promoted Premier League side saw an opening €15m bid rejected, as Udinese are unwilling to sell their centre-back for less than €20m.
Newcastle have also joined the race for Bijol, further complicating Leeds’ plans.
Bijol has agreement with Leeds United
Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic (C) in action with Udinese’s Jaka Bijol (L) and Enzo Ebosse during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC, in Udine, Italy, 02 November 2024. EPA-EFE/Ettore Griffoni
“On a personal level, Bijol has already agreed to join England, but the Magpies’ new interest could change that, as the right-footed defender had already agreed personal terms on a contract running until June 2029 with the newly promoted club,” the report claims.
Bijol joined Udinese from CSKA Moscow for €4m in 2022 and has played 95 games with the Bianconeri, scoring five goals.
The sought-after defender may not be the only Udinese star leaving the club this summer as Napoli reportedly aim to finalise Lorenzo Lucca’s transfer for €30m.
