While Nadiem Amiri is on the verge of a loan move to Genoa, France U-21 international Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe is expected to fill the void from PSG
This is what Genoa’s obligation to buy looks like – Amiri still training at Leverkusen
The fact that Nadiem Amiri has reached an agreement with CFC Genoa on a contract that will run until the end of the season is just as well known as the two clubs’ agreement on a loan with an obligation to buy if the Italians avoid relegation from Serie A this season. In that case, the two clubs have agreed on a transfer fee that is in the region of nine million euros. However, the midfielder will not undergo the medical check in Genoa on Tuesday, but was still on the Leverkusen training pitch in the morning.
A prerequisite for the deal, however, is that Bayer sign a successor for Amir before the end of January. And the candidate Bayer have chosen is Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe (21), who is still under contract with PSG until 2023.
Debut alongside Diaby
The 1.83-metre, 76-kilogram central midfielder, who can also play on the (right) wing, is expected to join Amiri on loan for the time being. Bayer will also secure an option to buy the France U-21 international, who came on as a 26th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win in Georgia in September 2020. The game, which saw Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby in the starting eleven, was Dina Ebimbe’s only appearance for France U 21s so far.
15-million buy option for Bayer
There are still a few conditions to be met for the deal to go through, however. Firstly, PSG, who would also like to keep the player, demand a transfer fee of at least 15 million euros in the event of a fixed move. On the other hand, the French want to extend the contract with the player before a loan to Leverkusen, in order not to get into a bad negotiating position in the summer, if Bayer does not pull the purchase option. Because then the player would only have one year left on his contract and PSG would no longer have a strong negotiating position. For an extension of the contract, the French offer Dina Ebimbe a significant salary increase. A third obstacle could still arise via Dina Ebimbe’s advisor, who has another idea with the player, but of which Dina Ebimbe herself is anything but fond.
Maximum flexibility in the summer
With Dina Ebimbe and Amiri, Bayer 04 would complete a loan rochade that would give the Bundesliga third-placed side maximum flexibility in the summer. If Amiri then moves to Italy on a permanent basis, Dina Ebimbe would already be on the hook as a replacement thanks to the purchase option.
However, if the 25-year-old returns to Leverkusen after Genoa’s relegation next season, the Werksklub would have all options with regard to Dina Ebimbe, from a permanent contract to a return of the player to Paris.
Part-time player at PSG, regular at Dijon
For the capitals, Dina Ebimbe made eight (partial) appearances in Ligue 1 this season and six minutes in the Champions League in the meaningless final group game against FC Brugge (4-1). Last season, however, he made 30 Ligue 1 appearances for Dijon (25 from the start) and scored one goal.
