Leeds United

Leeds United chase Slovenian midfielder – five things for fans

According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, and as picked up by media sources such as the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United are in the hunt for Venezia’s young midfielder Leo Stulac.

The transfer window doesn’t open for another couple of days but it seems that Leeds United are in tried-and-tested mode in the pursuit of Stulac. That mode – a return to Italy and Serie B as the Whites look at the Slovenian.

If there’s one part of the squad where there’s plenty of depth at Elland Road, then it is in midfield. Whilst other areas of the squad are more bare than thread, the numbers in the midfield engine room are more than adequate.

It is there that the Whites are stronger in number, yet that doesn’t really relate to strength in depth. Listening to Leeds United fans over the course of last season would have told you that. Aside from players Adam Forshaw and Ronaldo Vieira, Leeds United midfielders came in for a fair degree of pelters from fans across social media.

However, according to Pedulla, Leeds United have been “particularly impressed by the performances of Stulac.” Leeds will be facing a battle with Italian side Genoa, who also remain interested. With this transfer tug-o-war in mind, here’s five things for Leeds fans to know about the Venezia midfielder.

Five things Stulic for Leeds fans to know

1. 23-year-old Stulac moved to Italian football with Venezia in mid-July 2016 from Slovenian FC Koper. He broke through into the FC Koper squad after moving from FC Luka Koper Under-19 at the opening of the January 2011 transfer window – arriving as a 17-year-old.

2. The young defensive midfielder might have age on his side, but he does have experience as well. He featured in 93 Prva Liga games former side FC Koper, scoring eight goals and providing six assists. In his first season in Serie B, he has played 20 games for Venezia, scoring six times and laying on four assists.

3. He can mix between playing a more defensive role as an anchor #6, or more centrally in midfield. He’s played in both roles for Venezia this season in Serie B, being more predominantly used in a central role. In his last four games for the Italian second-tier side, he has three goals – scoring against Foggia, Pro Vercelli and US Palermo.

4. He’s got international pedigree for Slovenia in the past. He’s featured at youth level for Slovenia, quickly moving up the ladder from Under-17 level to Under-21. In total he’s featured 32e times for his country, scoring one goal as an Under-18 and five goals for the Under-21s.

5. Leeds United may be interested in acquiring the young Slovenian midfielder but they aren’t alone in wanting him. His current deal runs out at the end of June, and he is refusing to sign a new one. Leeds’ interest also needs to run alongside interest from Italian side Genoa, who are thought to be in the driving seat. This is due to the fact that their sporting director, Giorgio Perinetti, was the man responsible for the midfielder’s move to Italy in the first place.

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