Leeds United continue to search for midfield reinforcements as the summer transfer window enters its final week. However, their pursuit of Dejan Ljubičić appears to have come to an end, according to reports from Germany.
Ljubičić had emerged as a potential target for Leeds earlier in the summer, following Glen Kamara’s £8 million transfer to Stade Rennais. Leeds initially submitted a £3.3 million (€4 million) bid to 1.FC Koln last month, which was rejected. Despite their continued interest, Leeds did not return with an improved offer.
After a period of silence, speculation around Ljubičić resurfaced this week, with multiple reports suggesting that the player was eager to make the move, especially as he entered the final year of his contract with the recently relegated Koln. German outlet BILD reported that the 26-year-old was keen on joining Leeds, although there was no confirmation of a renewed bid.
However, it now seems that the transfer is off, with Leeds deciding against taking the “financial risk” of signing the midfielder. It’s unclear how much Koln was demanding, but Leeds are reportedly shifting their focus to other targets.
Koln’s management is said to be unhappy with Ljubičić’s agents, accusing them of attempting to force a transfer and leaking their player’s intentions to the German media. With Leeds seemingly out of the picture, Ljubičić is likely to remain in the German second-tier.
Despite being sidelined from Koln’s DFB-Pokal victory over SV Sandhausen last weekend due to knee issues, Ljubičić has returned to full training and is fit to play. As he enters the last year of his contract, Koln faces a decision: keep him and risk losing him for a reduced fee in January or for free next summer.
Last summer, Koln reportedly rejected offers from Wolfsburg, valuing Ljubičić between €8-10 million (£6.8-£8.5 million). The situation is further complicated by Koln’s transfer embargo, preventing them from signing replacements and forcing them to address their squad’s needs internally.
With one week left in the transfer window, Leeds are still eager to sign a first-team central midfielder. Manager Daniel Farke has been rotating between Ilia Gruev and Joe Rothwell alongside Ethan Ampadu. The club is also looking to bring in a second attacker, following Largie Ramazani’s £10 million arrival, and additional full-back cover.
