Daniel Farke’s comments about Max Wober in August should be a clear indication of how unlikely it is he leaves Leeds United this week.
Despite the English transfer window having closed two weeks ago, fresh reports are now linking Wober with a move away from Elland Road.
Galatasaray are reportedly keen on signing Wober in the coming days, with the Turkish transfer window still open until the close of play on Friday.
The SuperLig side would like to sign Wober on an initial loan deal with the option to sign him permanently next summer, despite him not having an exit clause in his contract at Leeds.
His departure would leave Leeds with just two senior recognised centre-backs until January, unless they decided to dip into the free agent market, which is unlikely.
What Farke has said about Wober’s Leeds future
Wober has not had it easy at Leeds since returning from a loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach, as he is still yet to play a single minute of league action.
Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon are currently ahead of him in the pecking order, with his only appearance this season coming in the 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, where he was poor.
Unlike Brenden Aaronson, Wober has not yet managed to start rebuilding that fractured relationship back up with Leeds supporters, though Farke‘s comments about him in August would suggest he wants to.
Farke was asked about Wober’s commitment to the club in the press conference that followed the day after his display against Boro, in which he gave a long response.
Given how determined Farke was to prove that Wober wants to be here, it feels unlikely he would now be happy to sanction his exit when there is no opportunity for a replacement.
He said: “He was a bit longer involved in the tournament [Euros], it was more difficult and we had a good chat on the telephone when he was playing for Austria. Then I allowed him 2.5 weeks of holiday to clear his head and come back.
“The chat was I want to be there and prove my worth. It’s always the same, a player comes in and their last experience was relegation and their reputation is maybe not on the top level, like Georgi or Illan last year. Now everyone is fully convinced and singing their names.
“Max was a bit careful to be too loud within the group, wants to adapt, especially in the German training camp. We sit together after the first three weeks of training and he said straight away, knocked on my office, he said ‘boss sorry am I allowed to come in, I’m 100 per cent convinced, I want to be here.’
“The same with Brenden, one good training session or game is not everything to win back supporters but he has my backing, he has been good in training, they will need a few weeks until they are back to 100 per cent.
“I get the feeling they can play a really important part. He is really desperate to prove his worth. Let’s not celebrate it too much, the actions are more important than the words.”
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Wober has already made his Leeds feelings clear
Wober has been away on international duty with Austria over the last week or so, and was asked about his lack of game time in an interview with his nation’s press.
He was pretty honest in his assessment about his situation at Leeds, insisting he is happy at Elland Road and understands why he is not currently being selected.
With that in mind, it would make no sense for him now to force a move given the potential implications if it wasn’t to happen.
He said: “We are three central defenders who are at a very similar level. If we remain successful and nothing happens, I wouldn’t change much as a coach. So I have to stand back and wait for the chance.
“I’m at Leeds, that’s a perfect fit for me. I never said that I absolutely wanted to leave. I accepted this challenge, but I know that it won’t be easy to work my way back to the same position as before.
“The chance to play in the Premier League again is huge because on paper we have the best team and a broad squad. Our goal is clearly promotion.”
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