Leeds United want to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Ilia Gruev after Nadiem Amiri collapse, Kenny McLean rejection
Leeds United are now “in for” Bulgarian International midfielder Ilia Gruev before the transfer deadline, according to Chris Dawkes.
The ITV journalist reported via Twitter on 30 August that a “reliable source” had told him the Whites were looking to sign the 23-year-old from Werder Bremen.
Gruev has eight international caps and made 31 appearances in the Bundesliga last season as the promoted side finished 13th.
Leeds United are going after multiple midfielders in the final week of the window but saw a bizarre pursuit of Nadiem Amiri collapse for the last time on Tuesday after the Bayer Leverkusen man flew to England, while a bid for Kenny McLean has been knocked back by Norwich who don’t want to sell [Pink Un, 30 August].
The club has strengthened with late deals for striker Joel Piroe from Swansea and full-back Djed Spence on loan from Tottenham.
Late show
As fast as midfielders are removed from the running to move to Elland Road new ones continue to emerge as targets at Elland Road.
It is no surprise that so much attention is being paid to the position after four departures over the summer saw Archie Gray graduate to regular starter at the age of 17 and 22-year-old signing Ethan Ampadu left as the senior men in the middle.
A Championship season is a long affair, especially for a side with plans for at least the play-offs, so Daniel Farke needs to be able to rotate but has had to start the young duo for every game so far.
It is widely expected that Glen Kamara is on the way in from Rangers, but something is stopping that deal from getting over the line yet with just two days left before the deadline when it seemed imminent at least a week ago.
Talent-wise, a deal for Amiri looked like it would have been a very strong one for the Whites but the amount of times he changed his tune on the deal upset the club and saw them pull out.
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley and Fortuna Dusseldorf’s Ao Tanaka have also been bid for so it looks like if Leeds get their way there will be at least two new midfielders at Elland Road once the window shuts.
In other Leeds United news, the club are still in talks over yet another late exit from Elland Road this summer.