Key contract details emerge as Jaka Bijol agrees terms with Leeds United despite late scare
Leeds United and the 49ers will hope to wrap up a deal for Jaka Bijol sooner rather than later in the summer transfer window.
We stated that Bijol should be a target for Leeds this summer before actual interest emerged between Leeds and Udinese’s Bijol.
However, a deal may be edging closer but Udinese and Leeds remain apart in their valuation of Bijol despite other reports stating Bijol will cost Leeds a maximum of £15.2 million this summer.
Crucially, Bijol wants a fresh start away from Udinese this summer. He has played for the Serie A outfit for three seasons after stints with the likes of Hannover 96 and CSKA Moscow.
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Jaka Bijol of Udinese Calcio gestures during the Serie A
Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images
In recent days, it has been revealed Leeds’ first bid for Bijol was knocked back and there is still work to do in terms of agreeing a fee for the giant Slovenian centre-back.
However, they still have hope. Recently, it was reported that Bijol had given Leeds his word to join the club this summer but further developments have arisen since.
Now, Sacha Tavolieri of Sky Sports Switzerland has stated that personal terms have been agreed between Bijol and Leeds on a four-year deal to keep him under contract until the summer of 2029.
He states that Bijol is the club’s top defensive priority this summer and that they have offered around €15 million for his services already after the defender informed his management that he wishes to leave his current club during this transfer window.
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Furthermore, Bijol announced to his teammates in the dressing room last season that he would be leaving the club during his final days of training at the end of the campaign.
Bijol has already agreed to move to England and now it is on Leeds to secure the deal ahead of reported interest from Newcastle in Bijol.
Despite that late scare, the personal terms are agreed and Tavolieri reports Leeds will not hesitate to draw their guns and align themselves with the Italian club’s demands to make this deal a reality, as it is considered fundamental for 2025/26.
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Udinese v Atalanta – Serie A
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
What other defensive reinforcements do Leeds need after Jaka Bijol?
Unfortunately, Bijol will do something he has never done before if he joins Leeds. However, the centre-back position is an absolute must for Leeds to add to this summer.
Max Wober is likely to leave and Ethan Ampadu is required in central midfield. That means another central defender could be added to the mix on top of Bijol — who edges closer to a switch to West Yorkshire by the day.
Leeds remain in the Michael Keane race, with the Everton defender out of contract this summer. He would add Premier League experience and another aerial threat, but the question remains as to how many defenders Leeds are in for.
There is no specialist left-footed left-back at the club if Junior Firpo leaves on a free, while Sam Byram and Isaac Schmidt face uncertain futures at Elland Road this summer.
That means Jayden Bogle is the only full-back who is guaranteed to be on their books come September. Securing Bijol would be a strong start but at least two full-backs are required.
