Eight-goal Bayer Leverkusen star admits rejecting Leeds United in January

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Bayer Leverkusen striker Joel Pohjanpalo has told Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that he rejected a move to Leeds United in the January window – in order to join second-tier German side Hamburg.

Pohjanpalo, 25, has been in stunning form since joining Hamburg in the January transfer window. The 32-time Finland international has scored an impressive eight goals in 11 Bundesliga-2 outings.

The former HJK Helsinki and Fortuna Dusseldorf centre-forward scored eight goals in 22 Leverkusen games, but has since seen his career ravaged by injury. Since going on loan at Hamburg, though, he has returned to form.

Speaking about his move to Hamburg in the January window, Pohjanpalo stated that he had interest from Leeds and the chance to move to Elland Road – but chose to join Hamburg as it was easier to adapt to his new surroundings.

“In retrospect, it can be said that there was a complete transfer. As a place, HSV met the criteria I wanted. Another strong option was Leeds United in the English Championship. However, I knew that the loan would be a short time, and I needed to quickly catch up with the team,” Pohjanpalo said.

TBR’s view – Pohjanpalo would have been a top signing

His form for Hamburg has shown that. Despite his injuries and lack of game time, he has hit the ground running and showed no signs of struggling with his fitness. But under Marcelo Bielsa, he may have struggled to play.

Jean-Kevin Augustin had been in and out of the RB Leipzig side before joining Leeds. That lack of game time saw Bielsa make sure he got up to fitness before playing him – and that suggests Pohjanpalo would have had to wait.