AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson has told the South London Press that he is under “no pressure” to sell striker Ali Al-Hamadi in January, amid reports Leeds United are interested in him.
Al-Hamadi has caught the eye since joining Jackson’s League Two side. The 21-year-old only joined Wimbledon in January, but instantly hit the ground running. He scored 10 goals in 19 for them last term.
A seven-time Iraq international, Al-Hamadi has continued his form this time around for Wimbledon. He scored his fifth goal of the season on Saturday, as Wimbledon produced a stunning win in the FA Cup.
Indeed, they smashed League One side Cheltenham Town 5-1. Al-Hamadi got his name on the score sheet to take his tally to five goals and five assists in 17 games this season. That, has caught our eye.
South London Press journalist Edmund Brack said last week, Leeds were keeping an eye on Al-Hamadi. The Mirror’s Darren Witcoop said four other Championship clubs want him. He will cost north of £1m.
Wimbledon under no pressure to sell Leeds target Ali Al-Hamadi
Hull City, Cardiff City, Stoke City and Bristol City are also interested in signing the forward ahead of the January window. He has a contract at Wimbledon until the summer of 2025. They will want to keep him.
Jackson was asked about interest from Leeds and other clubs in Al-Hamadi, and responded by issuing a hands-off warning to a degree. He says nothing has changed, and Al-Hamadi is focused at Wimbledon.
“Nothing’s changed,” Jackson said, on Al-Hamadi. “Ali’s our player and he loves being here, you can see that today. He’s fully immersed in what we’re doing, he got his goal and the performance was spot on.
“There’s no pressure on me to sell him or replace him whatsoever. We want to come out of the January window stronger, we’ve always said that. That involves Ali being at the football club,” Jackson added.
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