Max Wober is set to complete a loan move, with a possible option to buy, to join Gladbach from Leeds United – taking our tally of overseas loans to six. FIFA only allow seven – meaning there is only one spot remaining available.
We saw this in January. Matt Doherty was released by Tottenham, joining Atletico Madrid on a free – because the previously agreed loan for Doherty would mean Spurs would have eight players on loan at clubs outside of England.
Wober will join Rasmus Kristensen and Diego Llorente (Roma), Marc Roca (Betis), Robin Koch (Frankfurt) and then Brenden Aaronson (Union Berlin) in leaving England on loan. One spot remains, but there are many candidates:
Players that are still likely to leave – but to an English club:
Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Ian Poveda, Jamie Shackleton and Lew Bate are all players that you would probably expect to leave Leeds – but to join an English side. Adams and Harrison, if they are to go, to the Premier League.
Even if they follow the trend and go on loan, they will not affect the FIFA rule. Harrison has been linked with the likes of Newcastle, Tottenham, Everton and Villa. Villa and Newcastle also want Adams – as do Brighton and Forest.
For Poveda, Shackleton and Bate, loans to English clubs are expected. You could chuck a couple more names into this list too, perhaps Joe Gelhardt. A few from the 21’s. But they are all expected to join English clubs this summer.
Players that are still likely to leave – but to an overseas club:
With Leeds closing in on a move for Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier could go. Junior Firpo is expected to depart, hence the interest in a new left-back. Cree Summerville and Willy Gnonto have been linked with clubs in England and overseas.
But you would expect Leeds to sell Meslier and Gnonto, rather than let them go on loan. Interest in Summerville has dried up and you might expect him to stay and fight for a starting spot. But he could be allowed to exit Elland Road.
Phil Hay says Leeds have ‘not been tested’ for Luis Sinisterra and the growing feeling is that Leeds could keep the Colombian come September. He would be a super at Championship level. Helder Costa is more than likely to go.
Which player will take final overseas loan slot?
It comes down to two. Adams and Harrison, if they go, will surely join a Premier League club. Willy Gnonto will be sold, rather than loaned out in order to bring in some cash. The same goes for Meslier. Sinisterra looks set to stay.
Firpo, or Costa? The latter has spent the last two seasons out on loan with Al-Ittihad and Valencia. He returns to us with a year left on his deal. Super agent Jorge Mendes knows, a loan means he can go on a free next summer.
So, Mendes may try and broker a deal for Costa on loan. But the likeliest move is Firpo to take the slot. Leeds will not want to make a loss on Firpo, or a substantial one – which would happen if the club decided to sell right now.
His form and injuries has plummeted his value. If Leeds are to get value for £12.75m signing Firpo – loaning him out and hoping he does well, improves value. Costa? Well, his contract might have to be binned. The 29-year-old’s deal ends in a year; not the end of the world.
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