Leeds United are looking to offload defender Maximilian Wober this summer to add more wiggle room to the transfer kitty, according to the latest reports.
The Austrian defender moved to Elland Road back in January 2023 from RB Salzburg in the middle of the club’s fight for survival in the Premier League. The West Yorkshire outfit spent £11 million on the centre-back but his time at the club didn’t go as planned. Wober made merely 19 appearances for the Whites as the side were relegated from the top-flight.
Furthermore, when Leeds brought him to English football, a relegation clause was inserted in his contract which prohibited Wober from playing below the Premier League in case the club were condemned to the Championship once more, which is precisely what happened.
As a result, the central defender was sent out on a season-long to German side Borussia Monchengladbach, where he made 27 appearances for the club as they fought relegation in the Bundesliga. However, Wober has since returned to Daniel Farke’s side after his loan with Die Fohlen expired.
Nevertheless, Leeds United have no plans for the 26-year-old ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed that the English side are open to selling Wober this summer and are looking for between £8.5 million and £10.2 million. Additionally, Plettenberg has reported that Monchengladbach are keen to take him back for the forthcoming season but only on another loan deal and that Wober himself has been informed of this stance by the club.
Writer’s View
Wober still has three years remaining on his current contract at Leeds United, meaning another loan deal is viable for the club, although this time, perhaps they include an obligation-to-buy clause which would force Monchengladbach to buy him permanently at the end of the season.
The Austrian defender boasts a market value of £8.5 million, so Leeds’ asking price is more than fair, particularly given the length of time left on his contractual stay at Elland Road. It is likely that the Yorkshire club could get him off the books by the time that transfer window slams shut next month.
