Leeds United paying €22m to secure player – Agreement with player and club, announcement on way

Jaka Bijol’s Wedding Causes Minor Delay in Leeds United Transfer – €22m Deal Nearly Complete

Leeds United’s pursuit of Jaka Bijol is entering its final stages, with the Championship club on the verge of sealing a major signing from Serie A side Udinese. However, the transfer has experienced a slight delay for a rather personal and celebratory reason — the Slovenian international got married in his homeland last weekend, briefly pausing proceedings.

Earlier this week, multiple reports from Italy indicated significant progress in negotiations between Leeds United and Udinese. Sources suggested that the Whites had already advanced talks to the point of preparing a formal offer that matched Udinese’s asking price. This positive momentum came after Leeds had initially submitted a lower bid, which was turned down, before returning with an improved offer that finally satisfied the Italian club’s demands.

By Wednesday, it was widely reported that the 26-year-old centre-back was scheduled to undergo a medical examination with Leeds United — a key step toward finalising the transfer. Many anticipated that, barring any last-minute complications, an official announcement would follow shortly thereafter, potentially before the weekend.

As of Saturday, however, the club has yet to confirm the deal publicly. The delay has stirred some impatience among supporters, especially as expectations were high earlier in the week. Nevertheless, according to Italian media sources, particularly Calciomercato, the deal is effectively done. They report that Leeds United will pay €22 million to secure Bijol’s services — a significant investment that underlines the club’s ambition to strengthen their defensive line ahead of the new season.

Interestingly, it was also revealed that Inter Milan had shown interest in Bijol at one point, although Leeds moved swiftly to secure an agreement with the player’s representatives even before their final offer to Udinese was accepted. This proactive approach helped the Yorkshire side beat off competition and put themselves in pole position to land the Slovenia international.

While fans may be growing anxious for official confirmation, the indications from Italy are overwhelmingly positive. Leeds United’s management appears to be handling the situation carefully, likely out of respect for Bijol’s recent nuptials and to ensure all paperwork is in perfect order before going public.

Meanwhile, Udinese are already planning for life without Bijol and have identified a replacement. The Serie A outfit are working on a deal to bring in Nicolò Bertola from Spezia, signaling their readiness to move forward following the Slovenian’s departure.

With everything seemingly agreed between all parties, an official announcement from Leeds is expected imminently — a move that will likely excite supporters as the club continues preparing for a strong return to the Premier League.