£23,000-a-week player claimed to have gone on strike as he aims to join Leeds United

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It has not been an ideal start to the 2024/25 campaign for those at Leeds United.

Daniel Farke watched his side draw 3-3 to newly promoted Portsmouth at Elland Road last Saturday, before a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup.

The Whites were then held to a 0-0 draw against West Brom, while Georginio Rutter also looks likely to join Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville in leaving Yorkshire after Brighton triggered his £40m release clause.

Now – however – some positive news could be on the horizon for Leeds United as a target has seemingly gone on strike to force a move to Elland Road…

Dejan Ljubicic wants Leeds United move

A story from Kicker in Germany (print version, Monday 19th August) now states that Dejan Ljubicic is keen to leave FC Koln to join Leeds United.

The German news outlet explain that the Austria international missed Sunday’s 3-2 win over Sandhausen, with FC Koln officially stating that his absence was injury related.

However, doubt is cast on that statement by Kicker, as it is said that Ljubicic took part in FC Koln’s final training session ahead of the DFB-Pokal clash on Friday.

The German news outlet add that the £23,000-a-week man is hoping to join Leeds United, and did not want to suffer an injury which scuppers the potential of that happening.

Leeds United have already seen a €4m (£3.4m) bid rejected for Ljubicic – who has entered the final 11 months of his contract with FC Koln, and will leave for free in 2025 unless he suddenly signs a new deal.

One potential problem at FC Koln

While FC Koln would surely rather receive £3.4m than lose the 26-year-old for nothing in 2025, there is one factor which might tempt the German outfit to take the gamble.

Kicker explain that FC Koln are currently under a transfer ban, so they would be unable to replace Ljubicic – who has been compared to Frenkie de Jong, a reported target for Manchester United – if he does depart for Yorkshire.

Given the fact the FC Koln No.7 is one of the club’s most important players, and has the ability to play a huge role in getting them back into the Bundesliga – which brings financial rewards of its own, of course – they may opt to ignore Leeds United and gamble on keeping the midfielder.

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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Ljubicic aims to join the Whites.