Jaka Bijol is on the verge of a move to Leeds United with his move to Elland Road all but confirmed at the time of writing on Sunday morning – in a move that will see Leeds pay Udinese almost £19m.
A move to Elland Road has long been done, with Fabrizio Romano reassuring Leeds fans that Bijol will be a Leeds player. Beren Cross told Leeds fans that he has been reassured many times a deal will be done.
Leeds fans are playing the waiting game for the club to announce his signing, but as of yet, nothing has materialised. Leeds have agreed an £18.75m fee with Udinese, having cost Udinese around £3m in 2022.
Bijol will become the second Slovenian to ever play for Leeds after forgotten playmaker Zan Benedicic, while manager Darko Milanic was also from Slovenia – but where does he rank among Slovenian records?
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Jaka Bijol will be Slovenia’s second-most-expensive player ever
Currently, the most-expensive transfer involving a Slovenian player is, unsurprisingly, Benjamin Sesko. The talismanic striker swapped Salzburg for Leipzig in a deal worth around £20.5m in the summer of 2022.
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Of course, Sesko is now being touted with an £85m move to Arsenal (Goal) after two excellent seasons in Germany. Strangely, the second-most-expensive Slovenian is Kevin Kampl at £17m, also joining Leipzig.
More than 10 years ago, Jan Oblak joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica for £13.75m. With Bijol costing Leeds around £18.75m, he goes in as his nation’s second-most-expensive deal, above Oblak and Kampl.
Name Date Leaving Joining Fee
Benjamin Sesko August 2022 Salzburg Leipzig £20.5m
Jaka Bijol June 2025 Udinese Leeds £18.75m
Kevin Kampl August 2017 Leverkusen Leipzig £17m
Jan Oblak July 2014 Benfica Atletico Madrid £13.75m
What are Leeds expected to do after Jaka Bijol’s arrival?
The priorities after Bijol’s signing are obvious. Leeds will still need a goalkeeper, a left-back to replace Junior Firpo, a new midfielder, a no.10, a replacement for Manor Solomon and a new leading striker.
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Leeds have seen a bid rejected for Rodrigo Muniz and are said to be in advanced talks to land Lecce’s Montenegro ace Nikola Krstovic. Lille’s Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson could replace Firpo.
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Leeds have been told Habib Diarra will cost a further £4m, after an initial £21m bid was rejected while Graeme Bailey has informed LeedsUnited.News will sign Emi Buendia or Gustavo Hamer in the 10 role.