Sky Sports: Newcastle United £19m transfer hijack claim after Leeds medical booked & four-year deal agreed
Newcastle United Attempt Late Move to Hijack Leeds United’s Signing of Jaka Bijol
As the summer transfer window kicks into high gear, speculation and surprise moves are dominating the headlines once more—and Newcastle United are right at the heart of it.
According to reports from Sky Sports Switzerland, the Magpies have emerged with a late interest in Jaka Bijol, the Slovenia international centre-back currently playing for Italian side Udinese. The 26-year-old defender, however, has already agreed personal terms with Leeds United, who are preparing for life back in the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship.
Bijol is believed to have reached an agreement on a four-year contract with Leeds, with the Yorkshire club reportedly willing to pay a £19 million fee to secure his services. The towering 6ft 3in defender has been a consistent presence for Udinese since joining from CSKA Moscow in 2022, making 95 appearances over three seasons and earning a reputation as a solid, composed centre-half.
Despite the advanced nature of Bijol’s move to Leeds—which has even received the well-known ‘here we go’ confirmation from transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano—Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a late attempt to sway the player. With Bijol expected to undergo a medical at Leeds in the coming days, Newcastle would need to act with urgency if they hope to convince the defender to change course.
Romano confirmed the deal on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
> “EXCLUSIVE: Leeds United agree deal to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese, club to club deal done and here we go!
Agreement for €22m transfer fee add-ons included and personal terms also in place for centre back to join #LUFC. New defender set for medical soon.”
However, Newcastle supporters will recall past instances where Romano’s trademark confirmation did not translate into a completed transfer. One such example is Joao Pedro, whose move to St. James’ Park in 2022 was also marked by a ‘here we go’—only for the transfer to collapse. Ironically, Newcastle are once again rumored to be interested in Pedro, who now plays for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Newcastle’s Defensive Dilemma
Newcastle’s renewed interest in Bijol stems from their pressing need to reinforce the backline this summer. The Magpies have let Lloyd Kelly leave for Juventus in a £20 million deal and currently have several defenders—Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth—entering the final years of their contracts.
Head coach Eddie Howe is keen to bolster the squad, particularly as the team prepares for a return to Champions League football. Depth and competition in the centre-back position will be essential if Newcastle are to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.
While Bijol may be tempted by the guarantee of regular first-team football at Leeds, the allure of joining a Champions League club like Newcastle could also appeal to the experienced Slovenian international, who has earned 63 caps for his country.
Other Defensive Targets
Newcastle’s interest in Bijol isn’t occurring in isolation. The club continues to monitor several other centre-back targets as part of its broader recruitment strategy.
Marc Guehi, a long-standing target from Crystal Palace, remains of interest. Newcastle previously attempted to sign the 24-year-old but were unable to agree terms with Palace. With Guehi approaching the final year of his contract, Newcastle could return with an improved offer.
Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon has also been linked, with scouts reportedly watching him closely throughout the 2024/25 season. However, a move for Diomande currently appears unlikely due to high competition and valuation.
Earlier in the year, the club held preliminary talks about signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, but the highly-rated defender instead moved to Real Madrid after they triggered his £50 million release clause.
Leeds Stay Optimistic
Despite Newcastle’s reported interest, Leeds United remain confident that they will finalize Bijol’s signing without interference. The club’s swift action in negotiating personal terms and scheduling a medical suggests they are well ahead in the race.
Nonetheless, the transfer market is unpredictable, and Newcastle’s status as a Champions League side—paired with Premier League financial muscle—means they are capable of changing the narrative at the eleventh hour.