Leeds United have only made four new signings this summer but Daniel Farke’s squad looks a whole lot different to the one that finished the 2023-24 campaign.
Eight of the players Farke had available to him for the play-off final at Wembley have gone. Archie Gray, Connor Roberts, Liam Cooper and plenty of others have left the club since the defeat to Southampton.
Joe Rodon has since been added permanently, a great signing but no improvement on last term. But Joe Rothwell, Alex Cairns and Jayden Bogle have arrived, while Pascal Struijk is fit again after a spell injured.
Max Wober and Brenden Aaronson are basically new signings having returned to the club after loans, with the previous belief that they would be sold by the club having jumped ship from Leeds a year ago.
Sporting director hints at late move for Leeds defender
Aaronson has worked hard on winning back the support of the fans, doing interviews in the media and even being in attendance for the win over Harrogate. He returned earlier than expected to Leeds training.
Meanwhile, Wober is also back in the squad and while playing for Leeds in the Germany friendlies, has not yet spoken publicly about his return to Elland Road. Now, a return to loan side Gladbach is on the cards.
Gladbach’s sporting director Roland Virkus has told Rheinsche Post that Leeds were only open to the sale of Wober, and Gladbach could not afford him. But he did hint things change and could make a late move.
“Of course, we are watching the market. We cannot meet the demands of Leeds United and Leeds is not striving for a loan. That’s why the story is initially on ice. But we have always found good solutions.
“Players like Max Wöber sometimes come back to the market at the very end. Of course, there are also late decisions,” the Bundesliga side’s sporting director said when discussing the “intelligent” Wober.
Daniel Farke is counting on Max Wober at Leeds this term
In interviews, Farke has likened Wober to that of Aaronson, who has made it clear he will be back at Leeds next term to help them get promoted. He has said that Wober’s return benefits the sides and is a positive.
But among the players that have spoken to the media both on LUTV and to other sources, Wober is yet to talk publicly. It may be he is waiting for a move, much like last summer when he was expected to stay.
If Wober does go, it would leave The Whites short in central defence with only Rodon and Struijk other senior options. James Debayo has impressed, but he remains a rookie yet to make his senior debut.
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