‘I didn’t want’: International defender says he turned down a move to Leeds in the summer, too much ‘risk’

Pantelis Chatzidiakos has claimed he turned down a move to Leeds United in the summer.

Chatzidiakos was speaking in an interview with Greek radio station ERA Sport, via journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, where he spoke of how close he came to joining Leeds.

As per Greek outlet Sportime, Leeds made an offer of around £2.5 million to AZ Alkmaar for Chatzidiakos in August with the two clubs having spent over two weeks in negotiations.

It is said that Chatzidiakos had agreed personal terms with Leeds ahead of a potential move but the two clubs were unable to come to an agreement on a fee.

The Greek international instead made the move to Serie A side Cagliari later on in the window, bringing his eight-year association with AZ to an end.

Chatzidiakos says he turned down Leeds in the summer

Speaking in an interview while on international duty with Greece, Chatzidiakos claimed he had offers from Leeds and AEK Athens ahead of his move to Cagliari, but turned them down due to the ‘risk’.

“I had a call from AEK Athens and also I had the option of Leeds United but I didn’t want to take the risk.”

It is unclear what sort of risk Chatzidiakos is alluding to here but you would assume he means he was reluctant to drop into the Championship.

The 26-year-old is one of several centre-back options Leeds were pursuing in the summer following the loan exits of Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Max Wober.

Eventually Leeds were able to bring Joe Rodon in on a season-long-loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, a player with both Premier League and Championship experience.

So with reference to Chatzidiakos’ comments, you could say Leeds’ signing of Rodon has brought far less risk than what the arrival of the Greek player would’ve done.