New Leeds United target Dejan Ljubicic scored the winner against the Serie A side after the Elland Road bid

Not only that, but the nine-time Austrian star has entered the last 12 months of his contract and is likely to be available if the price is right. Leeds are expected to make a second bid for the versatile Ljubicic.

Indeed, a player who can play on both wings but is naturally a central midfielder. Last season he played in defensive midfield but also forward as number 8 and 10 for Köln, missing just eight league games.

Ljubicic scored the winner against Udinese for Cologne in a 3-2 win

Amid rumors of a move to Leeds before the club return to Yorkshire from Germany on Monday, Ljubicic scored a well-placed winner. A match in which Koln and Udinese shared four goals in the first half.

If Koln thought Leeds would sign Ljubicic, he might not have played the 85 minutes he did against Udinese on Saturday. But it was to the benefit of Cologne, who scored the only goal of the second half.

Carefully played down the right by Luca Waldschmidt, Ljubicic slammed an effort into the top of the net with his right foot. Below, highlights of the Cologne match on YouTube, with Ljubicic scoring at 3.50.

Ljubicic shows Leeds why they need to make a second bid

There is no doubt that having a player with nine Austrian caps, almost 100 appearances in Germany’s top flight and one who can play almost anywhere in midfield will completely improve this Leeds squad.

Ljubicic has experience, versatility, know-how and can be signed for a relatively small fee given Koln’s relegation and contract expiring in 2025. This is despite Leeds having an initial bid rejected for him.

With Glen Kamara gone and versatile duo Stuart Dallas and Jamie Shackleton now off the books, it’s a signing Leeds really need to try and make. Especially if his goal on Saturday is anything to go by.

Similar topics