Leeds United defender Max Wober has spent the entire season on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and the latter’s sporting director has revealed that he wants to stay in Germany ahead of next season.
The Austrian has had an excellent season with Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga despite Die Fohlen sitting inside the bottom half of the table. Furthermore, his impressive displays have all but earned him a starting place in Ralf Rangnick’s first eleven at EURO 2024 this summer with the Austria national team.
Wober moved to Leeds United in January 2023 for a reported £11 million but couldn’t help keep the Yorkshire outfit in the Premier League in what was a disastrous debut campaign in English football. When Daniel Farke took charge at Elland Road last summer, the centre-back was sent out on loan to BORUSSIA-PARK.
The 26-year-old was one of several players that had a relegation clause inserted into his contract last season after Leeds were relegated from the top-flight, meaning he was allowed to leave, albeit on loan, if the club were condemned to the Championship which is exactly what happened.
Monchengladbach have been delighted with his performances this term and have openly acknowledged their keenness to sign him on a permanent basis at the end of the season. However, the club’s sporting director Roland Virkus has stated that it’s out of their hands, especially if Leeds are promoted back to the Premier League.
Speaking to BILD, Virkus said [quotes via MOT Leeds News]:
“We are currently in discussions with everyone involved,” he said.
“The thing is, Max would like to stay with us. But Leeds are first in the English second division, will be promoted and have high expectations.
“We try everything, but we don’t have the reins of action in our hands.”
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Writer’s View
While many of the signings Leeds United made during their recent stint in the Premier League era were disastrous, Wober is one that could actually be looked at as a success in the near future as they may be able to make a profit on the central defender.
Having been signed for £11 million over a year ago, Wober’s market value now stands at £12 million, as per Transfermarkt, and the Austrian still has three years remaining on his contract at Elland Road.