Nadiem Amiri was the one that got away last summer with the Germany international flying into Leeds for talks over a permanent move from Bayer Leverkusen – but it fell through, and he returned.
Amiri, 27, is a player of huge quality and talent – starring in German’s Bundesliga over the years. But he had fallen down the pecking order under Xabi Alonso, with Leverkusen a strong bet for the League title.
The playmaker travelled to Yorkshire last summer with Daniel Farke keen on a deal. With a £5m fee on the table, Amiri was set to sign. But he performed a u-turn, and made his own way back to Germany.
His game time has since been woeful. Less than 150 minutes of football under Alonso, nearly half in a Cup game, one of two starts. It appears the German’s decision to reject Leeds has ultimately backfired.
With his contract still due to end in June at Leverkusen, the German leaders have opted to get rid as soon as possible in order to bring a fee and save six months of wages. They are set to rake in just £1m.
Amiri is set to join Bundesliga side Mainz on a permanent basis, with a medical and the announcement expected today. Indeed, Amiri is due to sign a contract until June 2026, as per Florian Plettenberg.
Leeds target Nadiem Amiri finally leaves Leverkusen for Mainz
It was a blow not to get a deal done for Amiri in the summer. Leeds never signed a no.10 and it has seen Joel Piroe, naturally a centre-forward, play as a 10. Georginio Rutter has played behind Patrick Bamford.
Amiri is a top, top player and would have been superb at Championship level. He will now remain on the tier of German football – but his indecision has seen Leverkusen miss out on £4m. The saga is over.
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