According to BILD, Dejan Ljubicic is “desperate to leave” Koln as Leeds United look to recruit the Austrian midfield player.
The German daily stated via their website on Tuesday (20 August) that rumours concerning the 26-year-old’s future at the 2.Bundesliga club are “gaining momentum,” with him pushing to leave the RheinEnergieSTADION before the transfer market closes on August 30.
Leeds are reported to be asking £3.4 million for the Vienna-born defensive midfielder, whose transfer worth has plummeted in the previous six months as his contract expires next summer.
According to BILD, Ljubicic has checked out of Koln, saying that he has “wanted to move for weeks and is no longer focused on his club”.
Leeds United close in on Dejan Ljubicic’s transfer from FC Koln.
Ljubicic sounds like he’s already psychologically left Koln.
The midfielder’s move to Wolfsburg fell through last year, and the German second-tier team, which was demoted from the Bundesliga last year, is only keeping him because they are not allowed to recruit anyone new until January.
Leeds will be able to accept a pre-contract deal with Ljubicic in January, but once that happens, he will be available for anyone to speak with, making it less likely that a deal would be struck for his services.
Also, will the Whites even want him in January? You’d imagine that if they can’t get the defensive midfielder right now, they’ll move on to another target and hence won’t need him.
Ljubicic is a nine-time Austrian international with 83 Bundesliga matches and experience in the Europa League and Champions League qualifying rounds.
He has pedigree, and the Red Bull and Austrian connections could make for a solid marketing combination, at least.
But Leeds has to complete transactions as soon as possible. Koln cannot afford to sell Ljubicic, nor can they afford to maintain an unhappy player who will depart for free next year.
If Leeds perseveres, they will give up at the last minute.
