Leeds United have endured their fair share of ‘expensive flops’ over the years.
The chuck-a-thousand-darts-at-a-dartboard-approach typified by former sporting director Victor Orta ensured that Leeds United did hit the bullseye now and again – Raphinha, of course, being the prime example – but also bust their score on plenty of occasions.
Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Jean-Kevin Augustin and more all arrived on Orta’s watch.
And while Junior Firpo, Max Wober and co have to some extent quietened their critics, whether they have lived up to their eight-figure transfer fees is another matter entirely.
But, still, not even Orta’s more misguided additions can rival Megrim Berisha in terms of high-cost and very low-reward.
Once a target under Jesse Marsch, Leeds continue to be linked with Hoffenheim forward Berisha. Reports have indicated that the 26-year-old could potentially arrive at Elland Road on an initial loan deal, with an option-to-buy clause in his contract.
But, should Leeds United fight off reported competition from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, the Championship leaders would find themselves under pressure to restore Berisha’s reputation and get a career which went flying off the rails back on the right track again.
Leeds United target Megrim Berisha labelled ‘an expensive flop’ in Germany
As recently as 2023, Berisha was one of the most admired forwards in German football.
After scoring nine Bundesliga goals in 23 matches on loan at Augsburg from Fenerbahce – picking up his first two Germany caps along the way – Hoffenheim parted with a club-record £12 million to take him to Sinsheim.
A fee which, in hindsight, looks more expensive by the month. Especially with reports suggesting Hoffenheim could now be willing to accept just £6 million.
Thus, making a 50 per cent loss on a player who’s record stands at one goal in 27 matches for Die Kraichgauer.
Kicker, reporting that Berisha could be on the move this month after changing his agents and starting only three games before Christmas, certainly pull no punches. Berisha, alongside the similarly underwhelming Attila Szalai, ranks as ‘the most expensive flops in Hoffenheim’s recent history’.
Now, that is not entirely fair.
Berisha was limited to only nine appearances in his debut campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in November 2023. Who knows how differently things would have gone had Berisha avoided such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Yet, Kicker do point out that Berisha did himself no favours when falling out with former coach Pellegrino Matarazzo while he has since been ‘unable to convince’ current boss Christian Ilzer.
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Berisha possesses ‘exceptional’ talent in the penalty area
There is clearly a player in there somewhere, though. You don’t score nine goals in one of Europe’s major leagues for a largely limited Augsburg side, all the while forcing your way into the Germany reckoning, without possessing serious talent.
“I think there are few better nines in Germany,” Berisha’s one-time Augsburg coach Enrico Maassen said during their time together in Bavaria. “You can see what finishing quality he has, with the left, with the right, with his head.
“He’s an exceptional player in the box. He’s improved mightily.”
Daniel Farke, after spending the 2022/23 season at Borussia Monchengladbach, will know better than most the ability Berisha possesses.
The question is, after such a serious injury, with his confidence and his reputation at rock bottom, is this a risk Leeds can afford to take with promotion on the line?
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