After a failed transfer attempt during the summer transfer window to the Elland Road team, Leeds United supporters may find a Nadiem Amiri development amusing.
Nadiem Amiri hasn’t played much for Bayer Leverkusen since turning down a move to Elland Road in the summer, and Leeds United fans may be “having a little laugh to themselves” over it, according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who discusses the reason with GIVEMESPORT.
Daniel Farke has been tasked with ensuring the Whites’ rapid return to the Premier League. The Championship club had identified the Leverkusen midfielder as someone who may boost their midfield prospects. After appearing to be ready to sign a contract, Amiri decided against moving to English football’s second tier and stayed at the BayArena.
Leeds’ unsuccessful pursuit of Amiri
Leeds United had a lot of business to do in the final weeks of this year’s summer transfer window. Farke wants to put up a team that could compete for automatic promotion from the Championship.
Leeds needed to be active in the final days of the market after losing the services of 17 players. There were glaring voids in the middle of the park after selling Tyler Adams, refusing to prolong Weston McKennie‘s loan, allowing Brenden Aaronson and Marc Roca to go temporarily, and letting Adam Forshaw go at the conclusion of his contract.
Leeds made their first move in the summer market when they signed Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea. The Wales international has spent the previous two seasons in Serie A, acquiring valuable experience for the Championship. Farke’s team had been linked with Rangers and Glen Kamara of Finland, who they signed in the last days of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Whites appeared to be close to signing Amiri from Bayer Leverkusen. The 26-year-old was on the point of joining Elland Road for £5 million before a last-minute change of heart. Leeds claim they moved the player away because of his wage demands, despite the fact that he had to pay for his own private flight back home.
Amiri reportedly flew over with his family and reps to see the city and even visited the club’s Thorp Arch training ground. Kicker, on the other hand, reports that Amiri had agreed on personal conditions and was committed to joining before his huge U-turn, something the Yorkshire giants have now denied.
After the fiasco at the tail end of the summer transfer window, presenter Joe Wainman recently told GIVEMESPORT that Leeds should not return for Amiri during the winter transfer window.
Update on Nadiem Amiri – Dean Jones
Jones told GIVEMESPORT that Leeds fans will be amused by the fact that Amiri has just played five minutes of football for Leverkusen this season. According to the transfer insider, it’s never been apparent why a move didn’t go through. He stated to GIVEMESPORT:
“In the end, it was a bit of a mess.” Amiri was roaming around Leeds city centre, seemingly gaining a sense of the place. And then, whether he priced himself out of it or didn’t fancy it, we’ve never really figured out why it didn’t work out. But I’m sure a few Leeds fans are chuckling to themselves since he isn’t getting any games.”
Leeds’ £5 million replacement for Amiri
Following Amiri’s failed transfer, Leeds were able to sign another midfielder. On the final day of the transfer window, the Whites confirmed the £5 million signing of Werder Bremen midfielder Ilia Gruev.
This season, the Bulgaria international has struggled to make an impact in Farke’s side, appearing three times in the closing minutes of Championship games over Millwall, Watford, and Bristol City. However, the 23-year-old still gives Farke another midfield option, which had been doubtful following Amiri’s aborted sale.
Meanwhile, Leeds‘ return to the second tier has allowed young midfielder Archie Gray to bloom. The 17-year-old had made 12 appearances in the second division, playing in 85% of available minutes and establishing himself as a regular midfielder.
Leeds United’s prospects of gaining promotion to the Premier League
Leeds United are aiming for a place in the play-offs rather than outright promotion to the Premier League after a mixed start to the season. A three-game winless streak on their return to the second division placed the Whites on the back foot, but improved form in recent games has catapulted them into the Championship’s upper echelons.
The upcoming games against Stoke City and Huddersfield Town provide an opportunity for Leeds to close the gap on the top two before facing high-flying Leicester City on November 3rd.
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