Leeds United were ready to pay Leverkusen’s asking price of around €6million [£5.14m] for the 26-year-old who has a year left on his contract at the Bundesliga side, but after “a lot of confusion” the deal is off.
Marseille had been trying to sign Amiri and the German wanted to join the French club, but their failure to qualify for the Champions League reportedly meant they couldn’t afford him any longer – the Ligue 1 side lost 5-3 on penalties to Panathanaikos on 15 August in the third qualifying round.
It had been reported by Kicker earlier on Friday that a problem had emerged on the player’s side, despite the deal having already been negotiated, with agreement between the clubs as well as Amiri agreeing with Leeds, but he appears to have backed out.
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A move for the German international midfielder would have been a significant boost for a side that still only has three options in the first-team midfield, the oldest of which is 22-year-old Ethan Ampadu.
Amid confusion through the week it appeared the Whites had come through to land him but as with all transfers, and especially those involving Leeds United, it isn’t done until it is signed.
This will no doubt be a significant frustration for Daniel Farke but in light of the exodus from Elland Road this summer he is probably better off without it.
A host of first-team players who were not interested in playing in the Championship exercised their relegation release clauses to depart through the summer, and Farke has only just brought Willy Gnonto back into the squad after he tried to force his way out as well.
So there would be little point in signing players who are sceptical about the league in the first place as they are unlikely to be committed to the grind of a promotion push throughout a long season.
Joel Piroe coming in is still a hugely positive sign, and the intent from the 49ers and the recruitment department has been obvious in recent days.
So fans will now be hoping that in the time left before the deadline that intent can be turned into more successful signings, after a turbulent pursuit for Amiri fell apart.
