Leeds United transfer latest: Bizarre Serie A defender link, Gnonto in demand

Leeds United winger Jack Harrison has been strongly linked with a move for Fiorentina - and reports in Italy have suggested the Serie A relegation contenders are plotting a second swoop on the Whites squad.

Harrison has struggled to find regular game-time following the Whites’ return to the Premier League and has made just made just three appearances in all competitions during the first half of the season, with just one of those appearances coming in the Premier League. The former Manchester City and Middlesbrough winger is now said to be in talks with Fiorentina and a move appears to be progressing - although the Elland Road hierarchy will rightly scoff at claims in the Italian media suggesting Jaka Bijol could follow Harrison to Fiorentina before the end of the January transfer window.

The Slovakia international made a big money move to Elland Road during the summer transfer window and after failing play for a single minute of Leeds’ first eight Premier League fixtures, Bijol has now 11 of the Whites’ last 13 games and has quietly gone about his business to help Daniel Farke’s side boost their hopes of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

Speaking to Slovakian media earlier in the season, Bijol said: “For now, I’m very happy, because our primary goal is to stay in the league. I want to play in the Premier League, if not this year, then next year. In any case, we have to collect points, so I’m very happy that we started the season as well as we did. There is certainly healthy competition at the club, which I haven’t been used to for a few years. It was something normal for me to play every game for the full 90 minutes.

“Maybe I also wanted it to get me out of my comfort zone, because it’s still the highest level in football. Now I’m here and I’m not surprised that the situation is the way it is. Of course, I’m not happy about it, but it is what it is – let’s move on. I’m definitely not happy about my teammates’ mistakes, because in the long run they are bad for the team and consequently for me as well.”

Since a slightly underwhelming introduction to life in the Premier League, both Bijol and Leeds have enjoyed a major upturn in form with the former Udinese man making rapid strides in his bid to become a key player within Farke’s starting eleven. Despite last week’s disappointing late defeat at Newcastle, the Whites head into Saturday’s home game with Fulham sitting eight points clear of the relegation zone and there is a growing confidence the Farke’s men will remain in the top tier this season.

Bijol’s form has reportedly captured the attention of one Serie A club in recent weeks - although it is extremely unlikely Leeds will view the reports as anything but bizarre. Fiorentina have been linked with a move for Bijol’s Whites team-mate Jack Harrison in recent days and Corriere della Sera have also reported the Serie A strugglers are also keen on the defender. Bologna’s Mattia Vitik is also said to be an option as Paolo Vanoli looks to strengthen his squad in a bid to guide his side to safety during the second half of the season. Bijol was also suggested as a possible target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid last month but those links were shot down by Slovenian media.

Serie A trio eye Whites forward

Wilfried Gnonto’s future at Elland Road has never been far from the headlines with speculation suggesting the Leeds United forward is a target for a number of Serie A clubs.

That speculation has continued in recent days with SportsBoom suggesting Juventus and Milan rivals AC and Inter are all keen to secure the services of the 22-yea-old and state Gnonto is ‘open to returning to Italy’. The former FC Zurich forward was part of the youth setup at Inter before he kickstarted his senior career by scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 74 appearances for the Swiss side.

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