Reports emerged last week that Leeds United are looking at Wimbledon talent Ali Al-Hamadi after the 21-year-old’s brilliant start to the season – and Darren Witcoop says he will cost north of £1m.
Al-Hamadi, a seven-time Iraq international, has starred for League Two side Wimbledon since joining the club back in January 2023. During the second half of last term, he scored 10 goals in just 19 outings.
This season, he has still had a hand in 10 goals – scoring five, laying on five assists – in 17 games. He is shining, albeit in the fourth tier of English football. Leeds are said to be monitoring the striker’s situation.
South London Press journalist Edmund Brack claimed earlier this week that Leeds were keeping an eye on Al-Hamadi – and it would be a record sale if he was to go. His contract at Wimbledon expires in 2025.
Now, an update from Mirror journalist Witcoop. He says that Wimbledon will want £1m-plus after turning down bids in the summer from Peterborough and Barnsley. Hull, Stoke, Bristol City and Cardiff are keen.
A serious talent and one that could go on to have a Premier League career, no doubt. But Al-Hamadi has a big decision to make. He needs to pick a side that allows him to keep playing regular, senior football.
Do Leeds do that? Probably not. Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph are all vying to start. Al-Hamadi is not going to displace those players if he joined us in January.
But there is no doubting he has a big future. Perhaps, joining a Hull or a Cardiff would allow him to keep playing regularly – but in the Championship. One to keep an eye on, and a potential bargain.
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