Good Morning. It's Friday 13th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Bijol negotiations continue after first bid rejected Leeds are preparing a second bid for Slovenian International defender Jaka Bijol after seeing their initial bid rejected. Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news, indicating that while the exact figure of Leeds’ initial offer remains undisclosed, both clubs are motivated to find common ground, and negotiations will continue today. The current valuation gap sees Leeds estimating Bijol's worth between £12 million and £15 million, while Udinese are holding out for a fee closer to £18 million. Despite this discrepancy, optimism remains that a deal can be struck, and Bijol is expected to be the first of seven fresh faces to arrive at Elland Road this summer. He boasts 63 caps for Slovenia, solidifying his status as a seasoned international player. He joined Udinese in 2022 for a modest fee of just over £3 million. Interestingly, reports from Italy at the time of his transfer suggest that his former club, CSKA Moscow, included a 10% sell-on clause in the deal, potentially influencing Udinese's valuation. The urgency to bolster the central defence stems from the likely departure of Max Wober, who has been informed he is surplus to requirements, and the uncertainty surrounding James Debayo's contract situation. Without reinforcements, Leeds' options in central defence could become dangerously thin. Further adding to the potential defensive reshuffle is ongoing speculation regarding Pascal Struijk's future. While reports suggest Leeds won't stand in his way should he choose to move on this summer, it remains to be seen whether promotion to a higher league alleviates his concerns and convinces him to stay put. please log in to view this image YEP dismiss Real Betis claim The Yorkshire Evening Post has refuted recent media speculation originating from the continent linking Leeds United's young forward, Mateo Joseph, with a budget transfer to Real Betis. While the 21-year-old is attracting transfer interest for the second consecutive window, Leeds are reportedly in no rush to part ways with the Spanish U-21 international. According to Graham Smyth of the YEP, it would require a "serious offer" to tempt the Whites into selling. Despite a somewhat underwhelming 2024/25 Championship season where he struggled for both game time and goals, his international form has been a stark contrast. He continues to impress for Spain's U-21 side, finding the back of the net again on Wednesday night in the European Under-21 Championships. Leeds United remain convinced of Joseph's potential, viewing him as a valuable asset for the future. The YEP understands that the club is not actively looking to sell him at this time. Their stance is clear: only a truly compelling offer would prompt them to reconsider Joseph's place in the squad. please log in to view this image Firpo signs three year deal with Betis Real Betis fans may have to put their Mateo Joseph dreams on hold, but they have reason to celebrate with the acquisition of Junior Firpo. The 29-year-old Dominican Republic international has officially signed a three-year deal with "Los Verdiblancos" as a free agent, bolstering their squad with a player who recently rediscovered his form. Firpo arrives in Seville after a four-year spell with Leeds United, a period characterised by fluctuating performances. While his time at Elland Road was marked by injuries, mistakes, and moments of magic, his final season saw a significant resurgence under the management of Daniel Farke. Despite the ups and downs, Firpo concluded his Leeds career on a high note. He managed to contribute four goals and ten assists, showcasing an attacking prowess that had often been dormant. According to statistics from "Whoscored.com," he was Leeds' second-best player last season, a testament to his improved performances and impact on the team. Under Farke's guidance, Firpo was granted a more liberated role on the pitch, which unlocked previously unseen qualities. He displayed an impressive ability to create opportunities for his teammates, delivering pinpoint passes into dangerous areas. This newfound creativity and precision in front of goal left Leeds fans wondering where this version of Firpo had been hiding. please log in to view this image
Utter nonesense on Junior. It was obvious in his first year he was good going forward and poor defensively. 4 years on he was good going forward and had very little to do defensively. Whether being fully fit and more adapted to the English game would have made him a viable option in the PL? I have no idea and we’ll never know.
Well done Junior. He withstood a lot of abuse from certain sections of the fanbase. As milky said he was poor in the pl but he was also part of a rubbish Leeds team in relegation season. Hopefully we’ll be a lot better and maybe so would he. But doesn’t matter now and best of luck to the lad. Deal was clearly done before season ended anyway
Not to fussed about Firpo withus being back in the prem. we need a better defensive fullback than attacking. As they gonna be going backwards alot more than going forwards. Think he knows it aswell. Came good in the championship without being wow but as some folk have said he wasnt defending alot which played to his strengths. Good luck lad.
It’s all very well saying we need defensive minded full backs. I get it. However we have a possession based style that relies on full backs getting up the pitch (the attacking 6… as sometimes referred to). If we abandon that, we have no identity. We might as well get dyche in. Obviously in the PL we’ll get cut apart in transition playing farke ball. That will be the risk… but then parking the bus brings its own risks. We’re going to have to be adaptable so we need players who are adaptable and/or a squad that allows us to be adaptable. Not easy! Farke isn’t going to abandon his style of play… we’re going to need attacking fullbacks. Hopefully we can find some who can defend too.
True but we need someone who can defend as good as attacking and Firpo was only good at 1 of them. We need someone who can do both.
All hearsay I honestly don't think anyone knows who we are chasing even the so called in the know media people.
Bit off topic but I think Thomas Frank leaving Brentford can only be good for us next season. going to be a few changes there now with a new manager, new idea's. along with a few unsettled players maybe wanting a move out if sounded out. I personally like Thomas I think he knows his stuff. has worked very well under his conditions which in my eyes make him a better coach than all these with silver spoons in their mouths. Think he will be missed for sure he was like Brentford's link pin. now that pin has been pulled it could lead to a downfall.
