Leeds United are hoping to improve their promotion-chasing team with three quality additions in the coming days, with a deal for Bayer Leverkusen striker Nadiem Amiri apparently close to completion.
The Whites have had possibly the most significant summer of transition of any professional team in England. It’s one thing to be under new ownership, with a new manager in Daniel Farke and a new technical set-up behind the scenes, but it’s quite another to have 12 players leave, the most recent being Tyler Adams in a £23 million move to Bournemouth.
Indeed, from the players bought during the 2022/23 season, Leeds now only have Willy Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra, and Georginio Rutter on their books – though happily, fears that Italy star Gnonto might leave have been allayed.
Nonetheless, with the departure of the dirty dozen, Leeds‘ attention will now shift to both retaining their key players and adding to their team.
Leeds have signed four players this summer, with Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram, and Joe Rodon all joining the club.
However, the Whites‘ recruitment efforts are far from over, with Leeds submitting a £5.1 million bid to sign Bayer star Amiri.
The five-time Germany international has a year left on his contract and has been released by the Bundesliga club.
According to Kicker, Leeds are the only club willing to match Leverkusen‘s price for the 26-year-old attacking midfielder.
Marseille has expressed interest, but they have yet to make a bid, making Leeds the current favourite.
Leeds is interested in Piroe and is also interested in a Glen Kamara deal.
Amiri must now decide whether to sign for Leeds or take a risk on OM following up on their interest. However, it appears that his time at Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso is coming to an end. Last season, he made nine Bundesliga starts and appeared 16 times off the bench, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
Leeds are currently waiting for Amiri‘s approval before making another attacking acquisition in the form of Swansea frontman Joel Piroe.
Since joining the Swans in 2021, the Dutch striker has amassed a strong record of 44 goals in 92 outings.
But, with his contract set to expire next summer, he has so far refused attempts by the Jacks to extend it. As a result, a number of clubs have engaged in a heated transfer battle.
With Leeds, Southampton, and Leicester all interested, Piroe will need to make a decision within the next eight days before the transfer window ends. The Foxes‘ interest has subsequently waned, leaving Saints and Leeds to duke it out.
The south coast club may have an advantage because they are now led by Russell Martin, who formerly managed Piroe at the Liberty Stadium.
Leeds, though, has made the first move, putting a proposal for his services for roughly £8m – £10m. A Saints bid, on the other hand, will not be far behind, with insiders telling TEAMtalk that a bid from Southampton will be lodged on Thursday as well.
Glen Kamara is likely to become the club’s next signing.
Meanwhile, Leeds are hopeful that a deal for Glen Kamara will be the next to be completed for the Whites.
After sliding down manager Michael Beale’s pecking order, the Finland midfielder has been given permission to quit Rangers this summer.
We previously reported that the midfielder’s representatives had conducted negotiations with Leeds, Coventry, and Middlesbrough about potential transfers.
The Whites, on the other hand, have now agreed to terms with Kamara and are leading the battle to sign him. And there appears to be a strong feeling within Leeds that a deal to sign him will be completed soon.
Kamara, who will cost £5.5 million, has appeared in 193 games for the Gers, scoring nine goals. The 27-year-old has also been capped 52 times by his country, having progressed through the Arsenal youth system before moving to Scotland, originally with Dundee.
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