Despite having already signed a couple of new centre-backs this summer, Leeds United could yet sign another, and one with more Premier League experience than Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw.
Leeds United have added some quality to their defensive ranks this summer, with Jaka Bijol joining in a £15million deal from Udinese, and then Sebastiaan Bornauw joining in a £5million deal from Wolfsburg.
Daniel Farke’s centre-back options are now looking much healthier. But there arguably remains a lack of depth in that position, along with several other positions in the XI, especially with Pascal Struijk facing an uncertain future at Leeds United.
There have been several centre-backs linked with Leeds United this so far this summer. And we might yet see Farke spend money on signing another one with the list of free agents bound to start dwindling in the near future.
One linked is Brighton’s Igor Julio.
Igor Jesus challenges Leon Bailey as Brighton take on Aston Villa.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Leeds United given unexpected hope of Igor Julio transfer at Brighton
Reports in June revealed how Leeds United were interested in signing Igor from Brighton. The 27-year-old Brazilian centre-back managed just 13 Premier League appearances last time round, though Leeds face competition from both Crystal Palace and Wolves in the race for Igor this summer.
Subsequent reports revealed how Igor wanted to join Real Sociedad this summer. It was even claimed that Igor had an agreement in place with Sociedad, but the club’s president Jokin Aperribay has played down the possibility of Igor arriving at the club soon.
When questioned about reports of Igor and fellow transfer target Equi Fernandez, Aperribay told Spanish outlet Diario Vasco: “If you ask me if something will happen soon, no, nothing will happen. We’ll see how the week or weeks go by. But both conversations are real.”
Brighton player Igor Julio during a Premier League game against Southampton.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Igor Julio’s stats at Brighton in 2024/25
Formerly of Fiorentina, Igor joined Brighton in 2023 in a £14.5million deal. He’s since made 37 Premier League appearances for the Seagulls, failing to hold down a regular starting spot and now looking set to leave the AMEX Stadium this summer.
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And there’s no doubting that compared to the likes of Rodon and Struijk, albeit playing a league above, Igor failed to really impress last time round.
Stat (league 24/25) Igor Rodon Struijk
Apps 13 46 35
Starts 10 46 31
Clean sheets 1 25 14
Interceptions PG 0.3 0.6 0.8
Tackles PG 0.4 0.9 0.9
Recoveries PG 3.2 4 3.5
Dribbled past PG 0.5 0.1 0.3
Clearances PG 2.9 5 4
Inevitably, Rodon and Struijk’s above stats will drop when Leeds United are in the Premier League. And whilst Igor would add Premier League experience, his stats certainly don’t do much to suggest that he’d be an upgrade on either Rodon or Struijk.
Bijol looks like he’ll be the main man at the back for Leeds United next season. He’ll no doubt partner Joe Rodon but expect Farke to rotate his players, and another centre-back like Igor would be useful, but for the price he’d likely cost, the money could be better spent elsewhere.