The Nadiem Amiri transfer saga has made for rather compelling headlines over the past week. With Leeds United and Marseille fighting for the German’s signature, it would be the English side to prevail in agreeing a deal with Die Werkself.
However, after originally being set to turn down a move to the Championship due to his desire to play in Ligue 1, Amiri agreed to join Leeds. Nevertheless, a day later the transfer was scuppered as the Leverkusen midfielder rejected the proposal made by the Yorkshire club for not meeting his expectations.
This understandably left those associated with Leeds significantly frustrated, but it would not prevent them from making a final attempt to lure the 26-year-old to Elland Road. As reported by Kicker, on Monday Amiri flew to England in order to finalise the details surrounding a transfer to Leeds after having a change of heart.
After visiting the local area and the club’s training ground, Amiri held talks with the Leeds hierarchy, in which everything was believed to have gone well. Nonetheless, once again, Amiri decided to turn down the move later in the day despite not receiving an offer from another side.
The player believed that Leeds had a high chance of remaining in England’s second tier and with ambitions of playing European football, this was not something that Amiri considered desirable. As well as this, while his contract would have been far more lucrative than at Leverkusen, the impending birth of his first child made the five-time German international question whether the change of scenery would have been ideal.
With a year remaining on his deal at the BayArena, Amiri faces a spell of uncertainty where he is not considered to be a crucial player in Xabi Alonso’s plans. A move to Leeds would have seen Amiri become the focal point of the side, slotting seamlessly into Daniel Farke’s midfield, the 26-year-old looked to be the rightful heir to Pablo Hernández’s throne.
Nevertheless, with the transfer window soon to be over, Amiri has certainly wasted the precious time Leeds could have used to attract a player keen to join the side. While the move seemed to be perfect for all parties if Amiri does ever show his face at Elland Road ever again, a warm reception would understandably not be expected.
GGFN | Will Shopland
