Why Leeds United should go back in the market for Borna Barisic
Back in September, Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti (h/t The Sun) reported that Premier League newcomers Leeds United had an £8million bid for Borna Barisic turned down by Scottish giants Rangers. The left-back had also been linked with Italian clubs Napoli and Roma but he eventually poured cold water on those speculations by staying put at Ibrox.
Profile
Borna Barisic rose through the youth ranks of Osijek and burst onto the first-team picture in the Croatian top-flight during the 2013-14 campaign. He made 50 appearances for Osijek in all competitions before joining heavyweights Dinamo Zagreb, where he made just a solitary first-team appearance.
The 27-year-old spent time on loan at Lokomotiva Zagreb before returning to Osijek in 2016. He spent the next couple of seasons at his boyhood club. Barisic then completed a move abroad with Rangers in the summer of 2018 and has gradually established himself as a regular starter under Steven Gerrard after a difficult debut season.
Barisic is currently regarded as one of the best attacking left-backs north of the border and has accumulated an impressive tally of 3 goals and 24 assists in 76 appearances for Rangers across all competitions. The Gers star has also nailed down a regular spot in Croatia’s international set-up, earning 14 caps so far.
Barisic would be a quality signing for Leeds
Leeds United roped in two international calibre centre-backs, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, in the summer to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s backline. The Whites also invested heavily in Rodrigo Moreno and Raphinha to improve their attack but no new faces came through the door in the full-back department.
Stuart Dallas and Ezgjan Alioski, who are wingers by trade, have been transformed into left-backs by Bielsa over the past couple of years. They did an excellent job in the Championship last term and the manager has continued to trust them in that role in the top-flight as well.
Leeds, though, might be better off bringing in a specialist option in that department, considering the obvious step up in quality from the Championship to the PL. Barry Douglas no longer seems to have a future at Elland Road, with the Scotsman currently out on loan at Blackburn and out of contract in 2021.
Leeds United should make a renewed attempt to sign Borna Barisic when the transfer window reopens in January. The Croatian international has evolved into an assist-king at Rangers, meaning his attacking prowess should make him an ideal fit for Bielsa’s philosophy.
As evident from his heat map in the Scottish Premiership this season, Barisic is adept at covering a lot of ground up and down the pitch to contribute equally to both defence and the attack.
The Croatian has backed up his impressive domestic form with some top-quality displays in the Europa League in recent years. That clearly indicates he’s ready to make the step up to a more competitive league.
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Verdict
Borna Barisic still has several years remaining in his prime at 27. His eye-watering 24 assists in 76 games for Rangers should be enough to prove that the Croatian would be an instant upgrade on the likes of Dallas and Alioski at Elland Road. Having said that, Leeds United should not hesitate to test Rangers’ resolve with an improved offer come January.
