Nadiem Amiri is still in Germany despite Leeds United agreeing a fee for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, according to Phil Hay.
Leeds confirmed the arrival of Joel Piroe from Swansea City on Thursday [24 August], with that their fifth signing of the summer.
The Athletic’s Hay reports that a £5million agreement is also in place with Leverkusen for Amiri, but the Germany international is still supposedly in his homeland, having yet to fully commit to Leeds.
In an update on The Athletic’s transfer blog on Thursday [24 August], Hay stated a fee has been agreed with Leverkusen and Leeds are hopeful of finalising a move for Amiri before the end of the weekend.
Hay added: “Amiri appeared to be on the verge of a transfer to Marseille earlier this week but that move has cooled in the past 24 hours amid a firm approach from Leeds to sign him.
“Amiri is yet to fully commit to joining the club and remained in Germany this evening but Leeds are trying to nail down a signing which would represent another major coup in the Championship.”
New-look attack
Bringing in Amiri would indeed be a coup for Leeds given that the midfielder has Bundesliga, Serie A and Champions League experience from his time with Leverkusen and Genoa.
The 26-year-old has made 98 league appearances for the German side since arriving in 2019 and has been capped five times by his national side at senior level.
The fact Ligue 1 heavyweights Marseille were in for Amiri says it all, but Leeds fans will not start celebrating the deal until it is formally announced.
After all, it would not be the first time a transfer has collapsed while seemingly on the verge of being completed – Max Aarons being the most recent example when opting for Bournemouth late on earlier this month.
All signs are pointing towards Amiri rocking up at Elland Road before next week’s deadline, though, and he will plug a void Daniel Farke has been desperate to fill in attacking midfield.
With Amiri playing just off Piroe, and Wilfried Gnonto now back in the fold, Leeds’ attack could have a completely different look to it very soon in what has been a brilliant couple of days for the Whites.
In other Leeds United news, Farke’s side are reportedly targeting a former Premier League full-back.
