Leeds United transfer target Dejan Ljubicic has no interest in signing a new contract with FC Köln this summer, according to Bild.
The German publication reported, as per TEAMtalk (25 July), that as the Austrian enters the final year of his contract at the Bundesliga side, Ljubicic is keen to leave despite Köln hoping to offer him a new deal.
The Whites have already had one offer rejected for the 26-year-old midfielder [Nancy Froston, 25 July], reported to be roughly £3.4million, and Ljubicic’s contract situation could dissuade them from bidding higher.
Daniel Farke’s side are keen on a new midfielder before the new season starts after Marc Roca’s move to Real Betis was made permanent and Glen Kamara completed a £6.8m switch to French side Rennes [Ouest-France, 14 July].
Leeds United given big boost in Dejan Ljubicic transfer pursuit
With Farke looking to build a squad that can go one better than achieving 90 points and still losing in the Championship play-off final next season, buying a relegated Bundesliga midfielder could be puzzling.
However, Ljubicic’s clear desire to play at the highest level – and not stay with a side in the 2.Bundesliga – is exactly the kind of hunger required as the Whites look to make their Premier League return.
The standard of play in the Bundesliga is also undoubtedly higher than that of the Scottish Premiership, where the club signed Kamara from, thus Ljubicic could be seen as an upgrade on the ex-Rangers man.
Joe Rothwell’s arrival on a season-long loan from Bournemouth is a start, but in Ljubicic, Farke could continue his building of a United midfield which needs to tick from the off in the new campaign.
With the permanent signing of Joe Rodon for £10million and return of another Austrian international in Max Wober, it looks clear that new club captain Ethan Ampadu will take one of the midfield spots.
If Farke keeps faith in the 4-2-3-1 formation he used last season, that opens up one spot next to the Welshman, and if Ljubicic does complete a big-money move to Elland Road, it could be his to lose.
