Leeds United missing out on two key summer targets is actually good news

Leeds United had plenty of summer targets that they missed out on during the transfer window, but some of them are better off having not joined.

Daniel Farke and the 49ers have done very well to get the most out of a very difficult transfer window dominated by loan exits.

Fresh signings have given Leeds a much better chance of clinching promotion this season, with more depth in key areas.

However, things could have been very different if other strongly-linked names ended up completing moves to Elland Road.

Here, we look at two signings that Leeds are better off for having not made before the deadline…

Leeds agreed a £5million fee to sign Nadiem Amiri from Bayer Leverkusen in August, with the 26-year-old travelling to the city for further talks on the matter.

However, it became clear that the player was demanding too much and the deal was abandoned, with Leeds making the German pay his own way home.

Leeds look to have dodged a bullet in terms of attitude here, knowing they aren’t getting a bad egg at the club, and that looks to have been proven right with the latest update from the Bundesliga.

Rheinische Post reported this week that the midfielder has been left out of their Europa League squad this season, with Amiri having “no prospects” under manager Xabi Alonso.

This decision comes despite Leverkusen having space in their squad for him and another, but choosing not to after this transfer saga.

Very early in the summer window, it was reported that Leeds were keen on signing Nat Phillips, Liverpool’s fringe centre-back.

At the time, an asking price of £10million was set out for Phillips, something that immediately looked like a concern.

Liam Cooper’s injury accelerated the club’s pursuit of a new signing, but they steered clear of Phillips in favour of a loan move for Tottenham’s Joe Rodon – who is looking a very smart addition to Farke’s possession-based outfit.

Since, Phillips opted to join Celtic on loan, and with Rodon starting his Leeds career well, it’s a move that Leeds are right to have stayed clear of.