English club’s chairman says his side will not be signing ‘terrific’ £1.5m Leeds target in January

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Peterborough United are supposedly winning the race to sign Ali Al-Hamadi from Wimbledon next month but Darragh MacAnthony says that is “not happening” – amid interest from Leeds United.

Al-Hamadi has been on fire in League Two. This season, the Iraq star has 13 goals and six assists in his 23 games for Johnnie Jackson’s men. The Wimbledon gaffer described him as a “shining light”, recently.

Reports have claimed that Leeds, Sunderland, Derby and Blackburn are all interested in him but League One outfit Peterborough – who Leeds will face in The FA Cup in January – are leading the £1.5m race.

However, Peterborough chairman MacAnthony has told his club’s website that a move for Al-Hamadi is simply not happening in January. He expects bigger clubs to be interested, in the “terrific” Al-Hamadi.

“There’s the Wimbledon one [Al-Hamadi] as well and you don’t want to talk about other club’s players. With all due respect to us and them, I don’t think they are short of a dollar. They are doing very well.

“I would be very surprised if they sold a player of that ilk in January. They are in the cup, they will get money from that, they are trying to win promotion. I would be amazed,” MacAnthony said this week.

“If he’s there in the summer there will be bigger clubs than us buying him. Terrific player. Have we tried in the past to sign him? Yes. But not recently. You can completely ignore. £1.5m. It’s not happening.”

Peterborough chairman not signing Leeds target Ali Al-Hamadi

Well, it is a boost if Leeds do look to make a move for the star. He looks to be a real talent and if Leeds do decide to let Joe Gelhardt or Mateo Joseph leave, even Patrick Bamford, he should be targeted.

A player with enormous potential, huge quality and able to do a bit of everything. Shake it with centre-backs physically, score different types of goals but also able to provide – his six assists proving that.

A fee of £1.5m is a bargain. Even if Leeds decided to sign him, and then send him on loan again would be a clever move. Allowing him to gain that development, but benefitting us. One to keep an eye on.