Leeds were an attractive side back in the 1996/97 campaign.
Managed by Howard Wilkinson, the Whites had just made some exciting additions such as Ian Rush, Lee Sharpe, Lee Bowyer and Nigel Martyn – ultimately finishing 11th in the Premier League that year.
It secured a sixth consecutive season of Premier League football.
However, it was still not enough for Leeds to lure Lorenzo Amoruso to Elland Road from Fiorentina back in May 1997.
Lorenzo Amoruso explains why he rejected offer from Leeds United
Speaking on the Mundialito show, the Italian said: “At that time, I had received several requests from various English teams, including Leeds. With Fiorentina, we had a Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final to play against Barcelona. I had to mark a certain Ronaldo.
“I wasn’t interested in the transfer market. I still had many years left on my contract. At the end of the season, I realised that Fiorentina was having financial problems. The opportunity to play in the European Cup (with Rangers) came up and the contract I had been offered wasn’t to be underestimated. I began to evaluate the possibility. It was a choice I would make again a hundred billion times.”
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Amoruso eventually sealed a £4m move to Glasgow, and Leeds signed a different defender in Alf-Inge Haaland.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink also arrived in that summer of 1997 – going on to score 41 goals in 85 games for Leeds – so it was hardly a disaster of a transfer window at Elland Road despite Amoruso moving to Ibrox.
Leeds United could be rejected again this winter
Rejections are simply part of football, and Leeds could be in line for another one in the winter transfer window.
Santiago Gimenez has been offered to Daniel Farke – according to TEAMtalk – although if Leeds decide to make a concrete approach in light of that, the AC Milan No.7 himself still seems likely to say no.
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The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
His father recently revealed Gimenez wants to stay in Milan and fight for his future, despite scoring just seven goals in 30 games since a £30m move from Feyenoord in February. He said: “Santi has great affection for Milan, so he is living a dream. There are photographs I have of Santi at the age of six and nine, wearing the Milan jersey. I still have at home a Milan jacket he wore when he was ten years old.
“Santi wants to stay at Milan. This is an important club, where he must perform at the maximum level. He’s very happy here.”
Even Kalvin Phillips might reject Leeds too this winter. The Mirror believe Leeds have made an approach to Manchester City, but the England international is leaning towards a move overseas.
Nevertheless, we still remain confident Leeds will make one or two additions to bolster the squad for Farke.
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