Newcastle United have entered the race to sign Slovenian defender Jaka Bijol, just as Leeds United appeared on the verge of landing him.
According to Sky Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Newcastle are preparing to swoop for the Udinese center-back, who had already agreed to personal terms with Leeds.
Leeds reportedly submitted a €15 million [$17m] bid for the 26-year-old, but Udinese are holding out for €20 million [$23m] due to a sell-on clause owed to Bijol’s former club, CSKA Moscow.
Bijol has already told Udinese he wants to leave this summer, and although Leeds reached personal terms on a contract through 2029, a club-to-club agreement remains unsettled.
That uncertainty has opened the door for Newcastle to move, and the manager, Eddie Howe, is keen to strengthen his defense ahead of the 2025–26 season.
The Magpies, who won the EFL Cup in March, remain thin at center-back, with aging stars Dan Burn and Fabian Schar lacking adequate cover, and Howe has urged the club to act swiftly.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Bijol joined Udinese in 2022 and has since made 95 appearances in Serie A, and in the 2024/25 season, he played 34 games, logging 2,963 minutes and scoring once.
Bijol also has 65 caps for Slovenia and impressed in last year's Euros against England and Denmark.
Newcastle United news and related links
- Liverpool shift transfer focus as Newcastle address 'crazy' Alexander Isak rumour
- Has Newcastle United ever won the League Cup? History of the Magpies in Carabao Cup
- Latest Newcastle United news