“Jaka Bijol’s SHOCKING £17M Leeds United Transfer REVEALED: The JAW-DROPPING Skills That’ll Blow Your Mind!”

Leeds United target Jaka Bijol has hinted more strongly than ever that he’s open to leaving Italian side Udinese ahead of the upcoming season.

The 6-foot-2 centre-back delivered impressive performances as Udinese secured a 12th-place finish in Serie A, catching the attention of several top clubs across Europe, including Leeds.

Among those interested is AC Milan, who endured a disappointing season, finishing eighth in Serie A and suffering a 1-0 defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final.

Nonetheless, the Rossoneri remain determined to compete with Leeds and other suitors in their pursuit of Bijol this summer.

Speaking to GianlucaDiMarzio.com while on international duty, the Slovenian defender addressed the growing speculation.

“Is Milan interested? They are certainly a great club,” he said. “But I don’t want to focus on that now. My priority is the match against Bosnia. These are just rumours, and Italy is full of them. Still, I do feel ready for the next step.

We’ll see if it happens this summer. In football, things change quickly. I’m thankful to Udinese, who have done a lot for me, and I’m happy in Udine—but I’d like to move forward.”

Reports suggest Udinese are willing to part with Bijol for around €20 million (£16.9m), a figure Leeds head coach Daniel Farke is reportedly willing to match. But who is Jaka Bijol, and why are Leeds interested?

Time in Italy

Bijol made the move to Italy from CSKA Moscow in the summer of 2022, signing with Udinese for a fee believed to be around £3.4 million.

The Slovenian quickly became a first-team regular, appearing in 32 Serie A matches in his debut season.

Udinese ended that campaign 12th in the table, having conceded 48 goals in 38 games—a respectable defensive record for a mid-table side.

He also showed his attacking potential, scoring three goals during his first season—mostly from set pieces.

The following campaign was less consistent for Bijol, as he suffered a fractured scaphoid—a small bone in the wrist—that sidelined him for 15 games.

Despite this setback, he returned to make 24 league appearances, though Udinese slipped to 15th.

Last season, Bijol remained injury-free and was instrumental as Udinese reclaimed 12th place. He played 34 league games and emerged as one of the side’s key defensive leaders.

International Career

Bijol made his debut for Slovenia in October 2018 during a UEFA Nations League match against Norway.

He went on to score his first goal for the national team in a friendly against Croatia on March 26, 2022, netting an equalizer in a 1-1 draw.

He also represented Slovenia at UEFA Euro 2024 and earned a place in the tournament’s best XI, according to football analytics site WhoScored, with an impressive average match rating of 7.33. To date, Bijol has earned 61 international caps.

Playing Style

Jaka Bijol is considered a modern centre-back, praised for his ability to play out from the back and his passing range.

He combines technical skill with defensive strength, particularly in aerial duels, where he has consistently excelled over the past three seasons with Udinese.

His reading of the game, ability to intercept, and composure in possession make him a valuable asset.

He is also capable of launching long passes to initiate attacks, offering more than just traditional defending.

His well-rounded skill set is a key reason why clubs like Leeds and AC Milan are vying for his signature.