Bayer Leverkusen open to Nadiem Amiri sale in January, unimpressed with Leeds United ‘rollercoaster saga’
Bayer Leverkusen would be open to selling Nadiem Amiri after being left unimpressed with the “rollercoaster saga” involving his failed summer move to Leeds United, according to Bild journalist Phillip Arens.
Attacking midfielder Amiri was involved with one of the more bizarre transfer-window scenarios when he was flown over to Leeds by the club on a private jet and shown around their Thorp Arch training ground.
However, the goalposts kept moving and the plug was eventually pulled with Amiri remaining at Leverkusen, for whom he has made just three appearances this term and was excluded from their Europa League squad.
Speaking to LeedsLive (19 October), Arens explained Leverkusen would likely cash in as an extension to his deal looks unlikely.
“His agent was in contact with Leeds. Amiri was also there to hold talks. But after his yes, there was a no, then a yes and another no,” he said.
“For the Europa League roster he was not nominated, which can be interpreted as a reaction by Leverkusen, because the club was not happy about the rollercoaster saga with Leeds,”
“If a club makes an offer, Lev would sell him, because in summer he brings nothing. [The] only way would be an extension, but I don‘t see this.”
Could they…
On the surface of it, Leeds going back in for Amiri would be wildly unrealistic after a truly bizarre series of events that ended with the player having to – rightly – find his own way home having been flown over and given the grand tour, only to ultimately decide against a move.
Leeds have gotten on just fine without him and are primed and ready to make an assault on the Championship’s automatic promotion places having entered this international break in fifth position.
But…well they were interested in the summer. Sure, his actions were not great no one is disputing that. If Daniel Farke decides he can forgive and forget, though, might he be tempted to try and get a cut-price deal for a player he clearly rates?
It is a long shot admittedly, but football is a funny old game and truly stranger this have happened. Leeds are after all well versed in strange things happening, let’s be honest.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been handed a double fitness boost ahead of facing Norwich City.