Leeds United are expected to look for a new striker, but one of the alternatives on the Elland Road shortlist has reportedly opted to join a Bundesliga team instead.
Leeds were allegedly looking to fill four new roles heading into the transfer window. A central defender, a full-back, a new midfielder, and a striker. With Joe Gelhardt heading to Hull and Patrick Bamford injured, it makes sense.
Many strikers have been linked with Leeds in recent times. Robbie Keane aided Dor Turgeman’s development, and the Israel striker has been connected with Aston Villa forward Louie Barry.
Mergim Berisha, a striker for Hoffenheim, is also associated with Leeds. The two-time Germany international joined Hoffenheim in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £12 million, but the deal has been a complete failure.
Mergim Berisha has agreed to go to the Bundesliga, dealing a blow to Leeds United.
Berisha joined Hoffenheim 18 months ago after impressing with Augsburg, where he scored nine goals and provided four assists in 26 games. He is now returning to Augsburg to help them avoid relegation.
Augsburg is presently 12th in an 18-team league, five points ahead of 15th place, which means the third-worst Bundesliga club will meet the third-placed Bundesliga 2 side in a play-off for a spot in the top tier.
German magazine Kicker report that Berisha has agreed terms to return to Augsburg where he is well-liked, choosing Augsberg over Union Berlin, Mainz and Werder Bremen to go back to his old outfit.
The report says Hoffenheim and Augsburg have agreed a loan move until the end of the season with an obligation that is claimed as being a single-digit million amount of Euros, a fee below an £8m figure.
Mergim Berisha almost ended up at Leeds in the summer of 2022
Berisha is a character well-known to some at Elland Road. A former teammate of Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson and loanee Rasmus Kristensen at Salzburg – and worked under Jesse Marsch with the Austrians.
Marsch actually tried to sign him at Leeds in the summer of 2022, with Turkish outlet Yeni Safak claiming Leeds made a £1.7m bid to sign him from Fenerbahce. Instead, he joined Augsburg for a fee of £3.4m.
Now, Leeds have missed out on Berisha two and a half years later after their initial approach. It remains to be seen if Leeds will delve into the market to try and sign another striker, or hope Bamford gets fit again.
