Scouting Report: Who is Leeds United target Djordje Jovanovic?
- George Dempsey
- 5 July 2023
Leeds United are being linked with a move for 24-year-old striker Djordje Jovanovic, according to reports.
Leeds United are being linked with a move for Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Dorde Jovanovic, according to reports.
Daniel Farke will need to sign at least one senior striker with Rodrigo Moreno leaving Leeds and Patrick Bamford prone to injury.
The transfer rumour mill is in overdrive at this time of year but the links to the Serbian striker seem to be credible.
Sport Walla, a local Hebrew-speaking publication, broke the news on Sunday that Leeds had sent scouts to watch Jovanovic.
The report also suggests the club are actively looking to sell their top goalscorer and want "at least double" what they paid, which was short of £2 million.
Djordje Jovanovic is a 6ft 1, right-footed centre forward who operates primarily through the middle. He's comfortable playing in a one or a two.
The Serbian has 31 goal involvements in 49 matches in Tel Aviv, scoring three goals in the Europa Conference League last season.
The target man found the net 20 times in 32 matches in the Serbian SuperLiga before his move to Israel.
Given his nationality and stature, comparisons to teammate Aleksandar Mitrovic are inevitable.
The towering forward is of a similar build and has shown himself to be particularly adept at heading the ball. He's an extremely physical presence.
His raw power coupled with his hunger to score sees him first to the ball more often than not, be it in the air or on the floor.
But don't be fooled into thinking he's nothing more than a target man and a battering ram.
His awareness, vision and deft touch are what you'd expect from a number 10 or a tricky winger at times.
Playing on the shoulder of the last man and timing his runs from deep or on the blind side of defenders are other noticeable facets of his game.
He knows how to exploit holes in the defence and, although he's a right footer, there's no shortage of footage showing his finishing ability with both feet.
