Germany star Nadiem Amiri shocks Leeds by REJECTING a £5m transfer, after he flew in by private jet to look around the city with his family… and then told the club to cancel the deal!
- Leeds had agreed a £5m deal for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nadiem Amiri
- However, Amiri pulled out of the move despite flying to the city on a private jet
- Would Mohamed Salah ‘do the dirty’ on Liverpool by leaving? And what about Man United ‘diving’?: Listen to ‘It’s All Kicking Off’, Mail Sport’s new podcast
Leeds have been handed a major transfer blow after Bayer Leverkusen’s Nadiem Amiri made the shock decision to reject a move to the club at the last moment.
The German midfielder looked set to join the Championship side after a £5m fee was agreed.
Amiri – who has won five caps for his country – had been earmarked as a key target by Leeds boss Daniel Farke, who is desperate to strengthen before the end of the transfer window after a tumultuous summer that has seen a major squad exodus.
However, Mail Sport understands Amiri flew over to Leeds from Dusseldorf on Monday by private jet with his family to take a look around the city, while he also visited the club’s Thorp Arch training ground and held talks with key figures at Elland Road.
It all seemed like the move would go through without any qualms before the 26-year-old – who was spotted by Leeds supporters on his tour of the city – shocked the Whites by deciding against the move and pulling out of the deal.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nadiem Amiri has shocked Leeds by rejecting a £5m transfer
Amiri’s u-turn comes after he flew in by private jet to look around the city with his family
Reports in Germany claimed Amiri had agreed personal terms before having second thoughts
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According to German outlet Kicker, personal terms were agreed and Amiri had given his commitment about signing before his major u-turn.
The report also states the midfielder had second thoughts about joining a Championship side after Leeds picked up just five points from their first four league games.
Furthermore, the impending birth of his first child within the next fortnight similarly raised doubts in his mind over whether now was the right time to move.
He was set to sign a four-year contract with the Elland Road outfit, which would have seen him earn higher wages than he is currently on at Leverkusen – with his current deal set to run out at the end of this season.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Amiri, with the midfielder out-of-favour in Germany and time running out for any other club to agree a deal.
Meanwhile, Leeds – who have already lost the likes of Tyler Adams, Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Jack Harrison and Marc Roca this summer – must now move on to other targets with the transfer window closing at 11PM on Friday.
SO WHAT DOES LEVERKUSEN HAVE THAT LEEDS DOESN’T?
According to Tripadvisor, these are the top attractions to see in both Leeds and Leverkusen:
LEVERKUSEN
1. BayArena (home of Bayer Leverkusen)
2. Japanese Garden
3. Neuland-Park
4. Wildpark Reuschenberg (Zoo)
5. Rathaus-Galerie (shopping centre)
LEEDS
1. Royal Armouries Museum
2. Roundhay Park
3. Temple Newsham (historic park)
4. Kirkstall Abbey
5. Thackray Museum of Medicine
P.S. Elland Road is rated as the 14th best destination to visit in Leeds
However, Mail Sport also understands that a move for Genk winger Joseph Paintsil – who was another attacking option wanted by Farke – has stalled, due to his previous club Tema Youth claiming a cut of any potential deal.
Leeds did at least pick up a dramatic 4-3 victory over Ipswich on Saturday which was a welcome boost for the club.
Farke’s side are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Salford City in the Carabao Cup second round, before they host Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby on Saturday.
Amiri was spotted in Leeds centre, taking in the city before making his final decision
Leverkusen’s city centre, in comparison, boasts the Rathaus-Galerie shopping centre (left)
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify
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