According to Phil Hay, it would be both “interesting” and “strange” if Leeds United tried again to recruit Nadiem Amiri following his failed summer transfer to the team.
On November 6, the Athletic journalist stated on The Square Ball podcast that Daniel Farke “really liked” the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder and that he would be a “huge asset” in the Championship. Although it appears doubtful that the Whites will pursue a trade, it “would not be unheard of,” the journalist claimed.
Amiri had changed his mind about joining Leeds United several times during the summer before the team decided against it after a trip to Thorp Arch. However, on Friday, November 3, it became known that the midfielder, who had been neglected by Xabi Alonso this season, had realized his mistakes and was looking to move in January. Hay referred to this development as “interesting”.
When asked if the agreement could be made again, Hay (22m 50s) replied, “Given how it ended and that they advised him to get his own private aircraft home after turning that move down, it would be fascinating if they did.
“He plays the game pretty well. Although it wouldn’t be unprecedented, it would seem strange to return to that after everything went so wrong. However, there’s no denying that Farke thought highly of him, and if that had happened, there’s no doubt that he would have accepted him.
“He needs to go because it’s not working out for him there; it’s not a very astute decision to turn down the move.”
Acts like that [cancelling the return flight] feel like the end of the world, like bridges burned and there’s no turning back, but you’ve seen a lot of instances in football where things that looked hopeless turn out not to be.
“He would have been a tremendous addition in the Championship, I have no doubts about it. While I’m positive he would have been, it was fascinating to read that over the weekend because it seems he’s realized that whatever was going through his mind in August didn’t come to pass and he’s now trapped.
“Having a reputation for being a pain in the neck and someone clubs would be better off leaving alone” is the last thing you want.
Once bitten, twice shy?
As Amiri, 27, hasn’t even reached double figures in Bundesliga minutes since, Leeds United came out on top and recently defeated the unbeaten league leaders, proving that they were better positioned than Amiri during the ridiculous summer drama.
In spite of this, the ongoing debate over how to best use Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe has demonstrated that a specialist number 10 is perhaps one of the few spots in the Whites squad that could use attention in January. Since Amiri is predicted to cost as little as £2.6 million, it might be a possibility once more.
Farke would need to have complete faith in the German international’s shift in perspective and that the familial influence, which he now seems to be trying to break away from, was the original cause of the problems.
It was certainly doubtful that Willy Gnonto would ever be reintegrated into the Leeds United first team at one point early in the season, but in football, all kinds of things happen that once seemed impossible.
It would be a risky move if Farke went back in for a chastened Amiri because the supporters would undoubtedly give him little tolerance. Nevertheless, it is not completely impossible that Farke would do so.
However, supporters would probably consider it as water under the bridge if he filled a void and elevated an already exceptional Whites team to new heights. Still, it is important to watch as January draws near in case the stars align properly.
