The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 18th June) - Udinese fail to ramp up fee after Bijol intervention
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 18th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Udinese fail to ramp up fee after Bijol intervention
Udinese's owners, the Pozzo family, known for their shrewd (and sometimes controversial) dealings in football, reportedly attempted to leverage interest in Jaka Bijol to extract a higher transfer fee from the San Francisco 49ers, according to esteemed football journalist Ger Lynch.
Lynch revealed on his podcast that Udinese offered Bijol to several top-flight clubs, seemingly in an attempt to drive up the price for the Slovakian international. However, this tactic ultimately backfired. While reports indicated negligible interest from Newcastle and Aston Villa, Bijol himself remained steadfast in his decision.
The 26-year-old defender had already given his word to Leeds United, and neither Udinese's ownership nor the allure of potentially bigger clubs could sway him. This unwavering commitment speaks volumes about Bijol's character and his desire to join the Yorkshire club.
News of Bijol's impending arrival will be welcomed by Leeds fans, eager to see their new signing in action. The player, who recently celebrated his marriage, is expected to fly into Manchester Airport today. From there, he will be driven to Thorp Arch to undergo a full medical assessment.
Assuming the medical goes smoothly, the transfer should be completed shortly thereafter. Bijol's arrival will undoubtedly bolster Leeds United's defensive options and provide valuable experience and leadership to the squad. It represents a significant victory for the Whites, both on and off the pitch. His determination to honor his commitment to Leeds United underscores the appeal of the club and their vision for the future.
Whites hope to raisre £10m from departing trio
The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds are preparing for a significant squad overhaul this summer, with Sam Greenwood, Darko Gyabi, and Joe Gelhardt all expected to leave Elland Road. This move signifies a clearout to make room for new personnel as the club looks to rebuild.
Sam Greenwood, the 23-year-old playmaker, is drawing considerable interest from Sunderland and Leicester City, with a cut-price deal of around £1 million potentially on the cards. Interestingly, Greenwood was previously offered to Middlesbrough and Preston North End for £1.5m (as part of the loan agrements), but neither club expressed interest.
Recent sightings of Greenwood at Sunderland's training ground suggest a move back to the Stadium of Light is increasingly likely. A return to familiar surroundings could be the ideal scenario for Greenwood to reignite his career.
Joffy has caught the eye of newly promoted Championship side Wrexham. The young striker's potential and goal-scoring ability could be a valuable asset for the Welsh club as they embark on their Championship journey.
Meanwhile, Darko Gyabi, a £5 million acquisition from Manchester City as part of the Kalvin Phillips transfer, is attracting attention from a host of Championship clubs. While his time at Leeds hasn't quite lived up to expectations, his potential remains undeniable.
Leeds United are hoping to raise between £3 million and £4 million from the sale of Gyabi and Gelhardt respectively. Combined with the expected £1 million from Greenwood's departure, the club aims to recoup around £10 million from the sale of the departing trio.
YEP duo deny formal Sadiki approach
The Yorkshire Evening Post are catigorically denying that Leeds have made a formal approach for talented utility player Noah Sadiki.
The versatile 20yo, capable of playing in both midfield and defence, played a crucial role in Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's historic Belgian league title win last season; their first since 1935. He featured in an impressive 55 matches across all competitions, highlighting his importance to the team.
Earlier this week, reports emerged suggesting that Leeds United had submitted an £8.5 million (€10m) offer for the Democratic Republic of Congo international. However, a recent article in the Yorkshire Evening Post, penned by Joe Donnahue and Graham Smyth, has categorically denied these claims.
Alongside Sadiki, Strasbourg's Habib Diarra has also been identified as a potential midfield addition. The Senegal international is viewed as a player with the potential to add Premier League quality to Daniel Farke's squad. However, Diarra has always been considered a less likely target for Leeds despite reports he visited Thorp Arch during their recent visit to England with Senegal
While Sadiki might represent a more attainable target, the Yorkshire Evening Post understands that Leeds' interest remains just that – interest. The club is reportedly working on a number of targets simultaneously, keeping their options open as the transfer window progresses.