Report: Club increasing efforts to poach Bielsa favourite despite rumoured Leeds talks

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Trabzonspor are accelerating plans to sign Ezgjan Alioski after Fenerbahce made a bid to land the Leeds United left-back on a free transfer, according to Sabah.

Alioski will leave Elland Road as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30. Trabzonspor have been interested in the North Macedonia international for a while, but are yet to agree on personal terms.

The Super Lig outfit now face increased competition for the 29-year-old’s services with Fenerbahce joining the race. But Trabzonspor are loath to miss out to their rivals and have begun increasing their efforts to strike a deal.

Trabzonspor held another meeting with Alioski to discuss his situation after North Macedonia were eliminated from Euro 2020. The 46-cap full-back started all three of his countries group stage matches but failed to avoid three-straight defeats.

Trabzonspor now hope to accelerate through negotiations ahead of Alioski leaving Leeds, with further talks planned. Whites Director of Football Victor Orta had kept talks with Alioski over signing a new contract alive, per the Mirror.

But Fenerbahce launched a serious assault in hopes of signing Alioski, according to Takvim, with his Leeds contract expiring. And Trabzonspor may emerge as his most likely destination with his £15,000-per-week deal with United expiring on Wednesday.

Should Leeds battle Trabzonspor for Alioski?

Orta could regret failing to keep Alioski at Leeds if he agrees to join Trabzonspor on a free transfer. Marcelo Bielsa awarded the North Macedonian a key role in the Premier League last season and would likely continue to do so.

Alioski only failed to feature in two of Leeds’ 38 top-flight fixtures following their return as Championship winners. And each of those missed games came within the first five of the term before ending it with 29 starts.

He also offered Bielsa two goals and three assists plus an option at left-back or left-wing, giving Leeds solid depth. But Trabzonspor seem intent on his arrival and with Fenerbahce also battling, Orta faces a tough challenge keeping him.