Leeds United are up and running with their recruitment drive this summer – and their next priority might be clear for Daniel Farke and key figures behind the scenes.
Although the transfer market is technically closed right now – before reopening on Monday morning – a first deal since promotion back into the Premier League has been confirmed at Elland Road.
Lukas Nmecha has put pen-to-paper on an initial two-year deal. The now-former Wolfsburg forward was due to become a free agent on July 1 before Leeds swooped in.
Nmecha, 26, has been capped seven times by Germany – while 16 goals and three assists from 69 outings all-told during his Bundesliga career indicates what Farke will have at his disposal next season.
He knows his way around the UK, too, having started his professional journey at Manchester City.
After returning to the big time with Championship promotion last season, the Whites are expected to spend big this summer, amid reports Farke will be backed with a £100million war-chest to strengthen up where needed in a bid to secure Premier League survival, which proved beyond all three promoted teams last season.
New signings have been predicted across the board, but the next step is clear.
After rubber-stamping a deal for Nmecha this weekend, Leeds Live understands the club are progressing with a proposed chase for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol, who has seen his name do the rounds on the rumour mill this summer, amid current indications that a transfer will be completed in due course.
Bijol, 26, himself has seemingly given a green light to leaving. The highly-rated defender, who has 63 caps for Slovenia to his name, is said to have had West Ham and Brighton looking at him previously, with £21million flagged up as a potential fee.
In addition to Premier League interest, three Serie A clubs – namely AC Milan, Bologna and Roma – are thought to be keen on his signature, at least according to reports within the national media on Sunday morning.
