Leeds United linked playmaker reportedly has change of heart and ‘on verge’ of £5m transfer - YEP 24/8/23
Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri has reportedly agreed to join Leeds United in a deal worth £5m (€6m) according to German outlet Kicker.
By Joe Donnohue
Reports on Thursday morning suggested Amiri had turned down
the opportunity to join up with fellow countryman Daniel Farke at Elland Road,
instead preferring a switch to French giants Olympique de Marseille.
That move now appears off the table with German sources
claiming Leeds will be the player’s destination.
The 26-year-old cost Leverkusen €9 million in 2019, on the
back of a promising Under-21 European Championships performance with Germany.
He has gone on to represent the full German national team on
five occasions but is on the verge of leaving the Bundesliga, according to
various reports.
Kicker state: "Nadiem Amiri is on the verge of a move
from Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Leeds United.
“On Wednesday...Amiri was hesitating with his commitment,
and on Thursday it was reported that Amiri had turned down the English club.
But according to Kicker information, the opposite is the case: Amiri has said
yes to the offer from Leeds.
“This decision could also be linked to the fact that
Olympique Marseille, who had been interested in the former German international
for some time, are said to have now opted for Joaquin Correa.
“With Leeds United willing to meet Leverkusen's transfer
demands, the move could now be completed quickly. The transfer fee for Amiri,
whose contract at Bayer 04 runs until 2024, is expected to be slightly below
the six-million mark.”
Amiri has registered 19 assists and scored 12 goals during
his 138 appearances for Leverkusen and last season featured more frequently
from the bench, as opposed to coach Xabi Alonso’s starting XI.
The German international scored and assisted 13 times apiece
across all competitions for previous club Hoffenheim.