Leeds United are at risk of losing a first team player outside of the English transfer window with the deadline for Turkish clubs not until Friday.
It is now almost two weeks since the window slammed shut in England and while Leeds are no longer able to sign contracted players, it does not mean they can’t lose them.
Leeds already have one of the smallest squads in the Championship, all be it with a significant amount of quality, and they can ill afford to lose anyone without the ability to replace them.
Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka and Isaac Schmidt all moved to Elland Road in the final eight days of the window, plugging the key gaps in Daniel Farke‘s squad.
To weaken a position in the squad now would be a disastrous decision from the 49ers and almost certainly leave Farke fuming, considering how frustrated he was with the club after not signing a number 10.
Leeds defender Max Wober attracting late interest
Central defence is one of the positions Leeds simply cannot lose a player, with only Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Max Wober out-and-out senior options.
However, with Wober – an Austrian international – being forced to play second fiddle, Galatasaray are looking to take advantage of his situation before the Turkish window closes.
According to Takvim, Galatasaray have conducted research into a number of left-footed central defenders across Europe and have landed at the name of Wober.
It is said Galatasaray could look to negotiate an initial loan deal with a purchase option for the 26-year-old, who is yet to play a single minute of league football so far this season.
Despite his lack of game time, though, it is hard to see Leeds sanctioning an exit for £8.5m man Wober, as it would be so risky to allow him to leave without being able to replace him until January.
What’s more, given the history between the two clubs, it feels unlikely Leeds would entertain negotiations with Galatasaray, particularly over a deal which would quite clearly favour them.
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What Max Wober recently said about Leeds future
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 a recent interview.
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.
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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