Leeds United have reportedly made contact with Julian Weigl in recent days ahead of a possible summer move for the Borussia Monchengladbach captain – and now, Gladbach have dropped a hint.
Weigl, 29, remains close with Leeds United manager Daniel Farke after the German manager signed Weigl while at Gladbach from Benfica. Farke landed him on loan in 2022, and he signed permanently for £6m.
Now, Leeds want Weigl and have made initial contacts over a move for the Germany international. The news comes only a couple of weeks after Farke said Weigl would improve any team he plays for.
Weigl has a contract until the summer of 2028 but it appears Gladbach are already preparing for life without the former Benfica ace – whether that is because Weigl fancies a move to Leeds, or elsewhere.
Gladbach identify replacement for Leeds target Julian Weigl
Gladbach’s summer could look very different if they manage to finish strongly in the Bundesliga. They currently sit in seventh, just a point off Conference League qualification – three off the Champions League.
With five league games to play, plenty can happen. Qualifying for Europe, whichever level of European competition that is, will open up a bigger calibre of player – but Gladbach may need to replace Weigl.
According to transfer expert Rudy Galetti, Gladbach are already looking at possible replacements and are said to be looking at Basel’s young star Leon Avdullahu. The 21-year-old has played 64 times for Basel.
“Leon highly rated in Germany, with Wolfsburg and Gladbach on his tracks. According to CIES Football Observatory, he is in the global Top 10 for % of accurate progressive passes among U23 midfielders.”
Julian Weigl would be a coup – but it is harsh on Ilia Gruev…
This is a player renowned for sitting at the base of a midfield and orchestrating attacks as a deep-lying playmaker while also providing the defensive nous required to be a holding midfielder, in front of a four.
He’s done it for Dortmund, Benfica, Germany and now Gladbach where he has added leadership as another string to his bow. Weigl would be a real coup, especially given Farke knows the midfielder well.
Perhaps expensive given his contract situation, Weigl might be worth the cash even if his arrival would be harsh on Ilia Gruev who is playing exceptionally well in Leeds’ pursuit of automatic promotion this season.
Weigl’s skillset is exactly what Gruev offers for Leeds currently, just at a higher level. It will be interesting to see how Farke would line-up with Ethan Ampadu also available, if of course Leeds do get promoted.
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