{"id":1093280,"date":"2026-07-16T17:59:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1093280\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T17:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T17:59:15","slug":"leeds-united-should-avoid-unexpected-deal-for-21-1m-centre-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1093280\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds United should avoid unexpected deal for \u00a321.1m centre-back"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following Pascal Struijk\u2019s<\/a> move to Brighton, it was clear that Leeds United<\/a> had to replace the Dutchman in the heart of their defence ahead of next season.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It looks as though Tarik Muharemovic<\/a> will be the left-footed defender United bring in to replace Struijk.<\/p>\n

You would imagine, following the inevitable signing of Muharemovic, that would be the only major centre-back signing Leeds would make this summer. <\/p>\n

However, according to the latest reports, this may not be the case.<\/p>\n

Leeds United linked with \u00a321.1m-rated Oumar Solet<\/p>\n

According to reports from Tuttomercatoweb<\/a>, Leeds are pushing to sign Oumar Solet. <\/p>\n

Solet, 26, currently plays for Udinese in Serie A, with the Frenchman valued at around \u00a321.1million.<\/p>\n

The report suggests that Solet would be a signing Leeds make in addition to Muharemovic, not instead of the Bosnian.<\/p>\n

The only other centre-back signing United should consider making this summer is a left-footed backup to Muharemovic.<\/p>\n

Splashing over \u00a320million on a right-sided centre-back when we already have Joe Rodon<\/a> and Jaka Bijol<\/a> seems ludicrous. <\/p>\n

Especially when you consider that Farke could be reverting to a back four next season<\/a>. Which would make gametime even harder to come by for centre-halves at the club. <\/p>\n

He\u2019s not the flashiest option, but Sebastiaan Bornauw proved last season he is capable of providing cover for that area. So, unless the Belgian leaves, I certainly wouldn\u2019t be rushing to sign any more centre backs to play on that side.<\/p>\n

Jaka Bijol or Joe Rodon could be left very unhappy next season<\/p>\n

I already mentioned it earlier, but you would imagine that if we play a back four next season, only one of Rodon or Bijol will play. Muharemovic will likely nail down the left centre-back position. <\/p>\n

This is another reason why, personally, I think we should persist with the back three. Rodon and Bijol were far too good last season for one of them to see their role be reduced to that of a backup player.<\/p>\n

Last season, when we would switch to a back four in games, it would typically be Bijol who would be the player who was sacrificed.<\/p>\n

When the Slovenian played last season, more often than not, he was fantastic. But he did find it hard to break into the team initially last season.<\/p>\n

Bijol only started 21 Premier League games in his first campaign in England. I fear that if he\u2019s in and out of the team again next season, he may look to move away. <\/p>\n

If Bijol could find it hard to potentially get gametime next season, then I simply don\u2019t understand why we would sign another centre back in that area.<\/p>\n

Hopefully, only Italian outlets continue to report the links between Solet and us. As signing him would be a waste of money given the current makeup of our squad.<\/p>\n

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