Leeds United react to Samir Arabi development as club restructuring shared
Samir Arabi has been linked with a move to Leeds United, with the German transfer guru touted to support Daniel Farke with recruitment.
It emerged on Thursday (6 March) morning that Arabi is on Leeds’ list to strengthen their recruitment department ahead of the summer.
This comes after news that Angus Kinnear is set to step down from his role as the CEO at Elland Road at the end of the season to take up the same position at Everton.
With Gretar Steinsson also leaving his role as the technical director earlier this season, the Championship club are said to be undergoing a shake-up behind the scenes at Thorp Arch.
Leeds United dismiss Samir Arabi talk
However, Leeds have thrown cold water over claims that Arabi is under consideration to become the next sporting director at Elland Road.
According to Joe Donnohue, the Whites have said that there is “zero truth” to the reports from Germany about the German transfer guru possibly joining them to support Farke with transfers.
| Club | Role | Term |
| Arminia Bielefeld | Managing Director of Sport | 2016-2023 |
| Arminia Bielefeld | Director of Football | 2011-2016 |
| Alemannia Aachen | Chief Scout | 2008-2011 |
| Alemannia Aachen | Scout | 2006-2007 |
| Alemannia Aachen Youth | Manager | 2002-2007 |
The journalist reported via the Yorkshire Evening Post website on Thursday (6 March) afternoon that the Premier League promotion contenders have outright denied those claims.
It remains to be seen if this is a tactic from Leeds to keep behind-the-scenes developments under wraps until they can confirm it officially.
👔 Leeds United have responded to reports in Germany linking the club with a move for out-of-work sporting director Samir Arabi. #lufc https://t.co/EJ0Asm2e1f
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) March 6, 2025
Farke would welcome Arabi’s German expertise
Leeds made a similar comment via Donnohue when it emerged that Kinnear could swap the Whites for Everton this summer.
The Championship table-toppers remained coy on that occasion, but the story has since proved to be true, with the CEO set to be a part of The Friedkin Group’s era on Merseyside.
It remains to be seen if Arabi will be associated with Leeds United in some manner despite the club denying such claims from Germany.
Farke would welcome Arabi’s presence at Elland Road as he could look to exploit the German transfer market following the successes of the likes of Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev.