Leeds United remain optimistic on completing a deal for Udinese defender Jaka Bijol with talks focused on a deal valued around €15-18million (£12.7-15.2m).

There is less confidence at Elland Road on signing Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, despite lodging a bid of €26m (£22m).

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff has emerged as another transfer target for Leeds. Last season, Newcastle triggered a one-year extension on the 27-year-old’s contract to ensure he is secure until June 2026.

However, after eight league starts and less than 800 Premier League minutes in 2024-25, Leeds see Longstaff as an attainable midfielder this summer. There is no suggestion a bid has been made at this stage, but he is on the shortlist the club are working through in this window.

Having racked up 171 Premier League appearances over the past seven years, Longstaff’s top-flight experience appeals to newly-promoted Leeds. He has predominantly been used as a central midfielder by Newcastle, with some variation between defensive or attacking duties.

Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz is another Premier League target The Athletic reported over the weekend, but of the names in the public domain, the most advanced negotiations are with Udinese over Bijol.

Sources at Elland Road, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, say talks accelerated over the weekend and while no fee has yet been decided upon, the valuation is in the range of €15-18m.

Bijol, 26, has amassed 90 appearances in Serie A over the past three seasons in the centre of the Udinese defence. Only four players won more than his 109 aerial duels in the Italian top flight last season.

Leeds are less certain about the direction Strasbourg may take matters with Diarra, in whom wider interest is anticipated which is likely to enhance his market valuation.

In the other direction, current Leeds defender Max Wober has been informed he can find a new club this summer. The 27-year-old played just 335 minutes in the Championship last season after an injury-riddled campaign.

After playing for Austria over the weekend, Wober said: “Leeds has already made it clear to me that they want to sell me. I might have been able to send out a letter of application (with my performance).”

Any fee over £5m ($6.8m) would improve the club’s profit and sustainability projections on the books.

(Top image of Jaka Bijol: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)