Leeds United have signed Jaka Bijol this week but the Whites need more to survive Premier League football in their first season back.
The 49ers and Daniel Farke are working hard to give Leeds United a Premier League squad. They will need more additions if they are to compete but Jaka Bijol is the next player in after Lukas Nmecha.
Bijol is an intelligent defender and signing, while Bijol should be ‘imperious’ in Leeds’ backline next year, adding character, leadership, and steel to a side lacking numerous players of that type.
Bijol’s insane aerial dominance was on full display when Slovenia played England at the Euros last summer and he will add plenty of combative qualities to the entire team.
Leeds need more in that department, with a physical and robust player in their engine room to add depth and competition to Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu for the rigours of top flight football.
SOCCER JPL CPO D8 ANDERLECHT VS UNION SG
Photo by BRUNO FAHY/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
European expert’s view of Leeds target Noah Sadiki
Union Saint-Gilloise striker Promise David has been linked with Leeds but he is not the only young player from the Belgian outfit to be linked with a switch to West Yorkshire.
One option that has also been linked is Noah Sadiki in an £8.5 million switch to Leeds. That came earlier in June, when it was claimed that Leeds would make that offer for the 20-year-old.
They were going up against Ligue 1 giants Lyon in a bid to sign the DR Congo defensive midfielder who made 39 Belgian pro League appearances last season, scoring once and assisting a further three.
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Sadiki is rumoured to be a key target for the Whites. However, The Yorkshire Evening Post have played down talk of a bid, even if they confirmed talk of Leeds interest is accurate.
Leeds fans are excited by the Sadiki rumours and they’ll be even more excited to know that Belgian media are backing Sadiki to leave Union SG this summer.
Even more exciting is the verdict of journalist and European transfer expert Seb Stafford-Bloor via The Athletic. He explained that his growth since a €1.3 million (£1.1 million) switch to the Belgian side has been remarkable.
He said: “Last season, he was one of the tenets of RUSG’s first league title win in 90 years and was deservedly named in the division’s team of the year.
“As a way of describing him, it’s difficult to find a direct comparison — his balance of skills is unusual. He’s a sturdy, dependable ball-winner, but an artisan in possession with a cultured passing range.
“He’s one of those No.8s without a fixed label, whose different attributes become more prominent depending on how relevant they are within a specific part of a game.
“Leeds United have shown interest — signing Sadiki would be a coup for a newly-promoted team.”
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise v KAA Gent, Jupiler Pro League Championship Round
Photo by Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images
Leeds target Noah Sadiki has an absurd amount of career minutes for his age
Predominantly a ball-winner in midfield, Sadiki has played a staggering amount of games and minutes for his age.
He has been utilised in central or defensive midfield for the most part but Sadiki has also been deployed as a full-back or wing-back on occasion, as well as a centre-back in a back three as well.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
RSC Anderlecht 19 0 1
RSCA Futures 14 0 1
Union Saint-Gilloise 108 2 8
Noah Sadiki’s career stats (all comps)
The 20-year-old has already racked up almost 9000 career minutes across over 140 games in three seasons. It’s the sign of a player ready to make the next step.
Is the Premier League a season or two too early? Maybe. Only time will tell if Leeds secure him over the other midfield options currently linked to Leeds in the media.