Back in 1999, Leeds United were on the horizon of a Champions League campaign and spent big in order to push David O’Leary’s side towards the elite European competitions.
O’Leary joined Leeds in October 1998 and replaced George Graham, guiding Leeds to fourth in the Premier League – just missing out on Champions League qualification. But the next season, they got it.
That summer, Leeds brought in Darren Huckerby, Danny Mills, Eirik Bakke, Michael Duberry, Michael Bridges and Jason Wilcox. All of which impressed at Elland Road, as Leeds went on to spend £30m.
But there might have been another added to the Leeds squad that summer, had O’Leary got his way. He had tried to bring in Kieron Dyer from Ipswich Town, but the midfielder ended up at Newcastle United.
Kieron Dyer admits he had waited for Leeds United or Arsenal
Dyer went on to shine for Newcastle, having a hand in 80 goals in 250 games from the middle of the park and earning 33 England caps. But his career ended early, Dyer picking up a whole host of injury problems.
He was part of the Newcastle side that impressed in the Champions League under Sir Bobby Robson in a side that also boasted Alan Shearer, Laurent Robert and Gary Speed. But he wishes he joined Leeds.
Speaking to Open Goal, Dyer said: “If I’d known what I know now and all the managers I’d spoken to, I know Arsenal wanted me as a right-back, Harry Redknapp was playing three at the back [at West Ham].
“Ruud Gullit [at Newcastle] and David O’Leary [at Leeds] saw me as a midfielder. I know Leeds and Arsenal bid £5m. I get pulled in by the manager’s [George Burley] office. ‘We’ve accepted a bid from Newcastle’.
“You don’t get time. This is no disrespect to Newcastle, I had an amazing time there, but if I had thought about it, I would have held tight for Leeds and Arsenal to up bids. Arsenal would’ve been the dream.”
If Leeds signed Kieron Dyer, Seth Johnson would’ve been avoided
Over the next year, Leeds brought in a holding midfielder in the form of French ace Olivier Dacourt. He gave structure and became the spine of the team as Leeds reached the semis of the Champions League.
Leeds had Eirik Bakke, David Batty, Dacourt and Stephen McPhail. But they lacked a midfielder that was able to score from the middle of the pitch on a regular basis and Dyer would have been the ideal signing.
But Newcastle brushed Leeds and Arsenal aside with a £6.5m bid to sign Dyer and it saw Leeds go int the market the next season and sign Johnson from Derby, and we all know how that went after his move.
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