Andrea Radrizzani has suggested that Florian Jozefzoon was on his way for a medical at Leeds United before snubbing the Whites.
It was a frustrating start to the window for Leeds as they struggled to get new signings through the door. The fans had to wait until the end of July for Barry Douglas to become the club’s first permanent addition of the window.
Jozefzoon was one of the players that Leeds went after during that period when much of the optimism following Marcelo Bielsa’s appointment seemed to evaporate. And in an exclusive interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, Radrizzani has outlined how close the 27-year-old came to making the move to Leeds before heading to Pride Park.
“We received the contract from the club (Brentford) and we had written approval from the agent. Then, on the way to the medical check here, they change ideas and go to another club. Honestly, I’m happy he didn’t come here. Good luck to him but we don’t want people like this,” he said.
It will be interesting to see whether his form with the Rams during the coming campaign leaves Leeds feeling that they have missed out or feeling grateful that he chose a move elsewhere.
Derby got their campaign off to a dramatic start with a 2-1 win over Reading on Friday night. Jozefzoon however, did not feature in the contest as Frank Lampard kept him on the substitutes’ bench.
Leeds meanwhile, have since bolstered their wide options with a loan deal for Jack Harrison. It remains to be seen whether Bielsa hands the Manchester City prospect a chance against Stoke City on Sunday, but the youngster will undoubtedly be hoping to help Leeds quickly forget about Jozefzoon’s snub that certainly appeared to leave Radrizzani feeling frustrated.
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