Another day has passed in the transfer market and another new name is being linked with a move to Leeds United, in the form of another centre-back aside from Jaka Bijol.
Jaka Bijol has now been announced with Leeds seemingly delaying confirmation of his arrival. Bijol has joined the club in an £18.75m move, and it see Bijol become the second-most-expensive Slovenian ever.
The feeling was that with the addition of Bijol, Leeds would pursue other additions in different areas of the pitch. But reports have now emerged that Leeds are still looking to bring in a new central defender.
Perhaps, given Leeds have told Max Wober he can leave and James Debayo is yet to sign a new contract. Real Betis’ Brazilian defender Natan is a target for Leeds, but The Whites have been told he will cost lots.
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Mateo Joseph could prove to be Leeds’ Natan trump card
Leeds have been doing plenty of business with Betis over the last two years. In the summer of 2023, Leeds were forced into allowing Marc Roca to go on loan there and then last year, Roca signed permanently.
Diego Llorente followed him, joining the Europa Conference League finalists permanently. Leeds rejected a bid in January for Mateo Joseph, while Junior Firpo is now expected to join Betis on a free transfer.
Betis remain interested in Joseph, with Leeds requesting an £8.5m fee at least – while Betis only want to pay £6.9m. Now, Leeds want to sign Betis defender Natan but have been told he will cost £38.5m.
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So surely, with Leeds keen on Natan and Betis wanting Joseph, there is a player-plus-cash deal to be done to land the Brazilian defender. Whether Leeds are intent on landing Natan after Bijol remains to be seen.
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Natan’s stats compared to imminent new Leeds man Jaka Bijol
While Natan has been playing for Betis and Bijol at Udinese, the two players are actually quite evenly-matched in terms of their stats. It makes a deal for Bijol look like a bargain, or Natan rather expensive.
Natan and Bijol’s league form during 2024-25:
Name Games Wins Clean Sheets Tackles won Duels won Headers won FotMob rating
Natan 31 12 4 68.6% 65.3% 67.7% 6.81
Bijol 34 11 8 58.1% 57.0% 67.1% 6.78
Leeds might be better advised to spend their limited cash on other areas of the pitch. But if Leeds and Betis can come to an agreement in which Joseph is included in a deal, it surely saves The 49ers some cash.