Leeds United: Dejan Ljubicic breaks silence on his future amid €4m transfer offer | OneFootball

Daniel Farke is strongly looking to add midfielders to his team this summer.

Leeds United midfield target Dejan Ljubicic, who the Whites had an offer of €4 million (£3.36 million) rejected for, has addressed his future at current club FC Koln.

Leeds have a dire need for fresh midfield options, but their latest attempt to add depth in this department didn't go how they would have hoped.

German outlet Bild reported that Daniel Farke's side submitted the seven-figure offer to Koln for their 6ft 2in Austrian midfielder, but it was promptly turned down.

Whether the Whites return with another offering for Ljubicic remains to be seen. However, before Leeds' attempt to buy him even came to light, the 26-year-old had already talked about what lies ahead of him.

Dejan Ljubicic speaks out on FC Koln future amid Leeds United interest

The day before United's bid for him became known to the public, Ljubicic spoke to Liga-Zwei and spoke about his future with the German side, who were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of last season.

"I am here and I am concentrating on the essentials, namely that I am performing well again," Ljubicic said.

"I just want to give it my all in training and offer myself to the new coach. That is the only thing that counts at the moment.

"Football is a fast-moving business. I am in contact with those responsible and my contract with FC runs until 2025 – I am here and I am happy."

The midfielder featured in Koln's pre-season game against one of Leeds' Championship rivals, Swansea City, on Wednesday.

The loss of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara this summer has left Farke short of players in yet another position. Gray's adaptability also meant that he played at right-back a lot of the time - although that is a position which has seemingly been sorted with the addition of Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United.

Farke understands the need for options in this area, but he's stated that he won't panic and not do his due diligence on these deals. "Overall we have lost two really good midfield options with Archie Gray and also Glen Kamara," Farke said, via Leeds Live.

"We brought in Joe Rothwell, also a pretty experienced player and also good in possession, can chip in with goals and great set-pieces. So happy so far, but especially in the central position we won't fall asleep until the window is really closed.

"And yes, definitely. In many positions we are already more or less done in our planning but it's definitely one of the positions where we could do perhaps also with a new addition but it has to fit in all the way.

"It has to be a quality player. It needs to be good personality, has to bring the skills that we need and yes also to be affordable. These topics have to come together but it's one of the areas where we will stay awake."

Leeds United should still be considered a top Championship contender

Even with the losses that they have already had this summer, and those that may follow if interest in the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto is followed up on, Leeds are in a strong position.

We shouldn't forget that most of the current squad is what made up the 90-point team from last season. Even though it didn't end well in the end, it doesn't take away from how good of a team they were.

Additions in the middle of the park and in defence are needed. Captain Ethan Ampadu can't be everywhere at once, filling in for absent players at in the engine room and at centre-back. They need more options in this area, but Farke is obviously aware of that.

They have plenty of time to address their concerns in these areas, and that should be a worry for the other promotion hopefuls - Ljubicic is certainly on their radar though, and it will be intriguing to see if a deal can be struck between all parties.