Leeds United paid around €20m to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese in the summer. The Italian club didn’t want to let the defender go, with him turning into a Serie A leader for them.
Throughout Leeds United negotiations with Udinese, it was clear Bijol was highly thought of both professionally and personally. Therefore, whilst there was a reluctance to lose him, there was also the realisation he deserved the opportunity.
Bijol made a slow start to life at Elland Road, causing all kins of concern in Slovenia. Whilst the defender was frustrated with a lack of minutes, he was his typical sensible self in response. Speaking to his home country’s media, he managed to calm the worries around him.
Things have improved in the past few months. He is now a regular under Daniel Farke, starting each game since the end of November.
Despite his situation at Leeds United being secure, the 26-year-old is being targeted in Italy.
Leeds United defender surely going nowhere
Corriere della Sera report ACF Fiorentina are interested in bringing Bijol back to Serie A. The Italian side want to improve their backline and are exploring multiple options.
One name on their shortlist is that of the Slovenian, who impressed for multiple seasons at Udinese. La Viola have missed out on the possibility of signing Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin, who is possibly on his way to AS Roma.
The Spurs player’s agent said in recent days that his client is a gladiator who suits Rome more than Florence. No, really, he did.
That is why Bijol and Bologna’s Mattia Vitik have emerged as alternatives. The idea of signing either seems too optimistic. Like the Whites’ centre-back, Vitik joined Bologna in the summer and has been around the Rossoblu first-team.
Bijol has played over 1000 minutes already at Leeds United and has increasingly become a key player for Daniel Farke.
The Slovenian media, who are close to the defender, recently rubbished Atletico Madrid claims. Fiorentina seems even less likely.
