Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Sporting Director, Rolan Virkus, has confirmed that his club is keenly interested in Leeds United’s defender Maximilian Wöber. Wöber, who was on loan with Gladbach last season, made a significant impact by featuring in 27 matches. His performance was impressive enough to earn him a spot in Austria’s Euro 2024 squad, where he made three appearances.
Despite the interest, Virkus revealed that Gladbach was unable to secure a deal earlier due to contractual issues. Speaking to Football League World, Virkus indicated that while they are closely monitoring the situation, the current demands from Leeds United are too high for them to meet. “We are keeping an eye on the market,” he said. “We cannot fulfill Leeds United’s requirements at this time, and Leeds are not open to a loan deal. Therefore, the situation remains paused for now.”
Virkus also mentioned the possibility of late changes, suggesting that players like Wöber might reappear on the market towards the end of the transfer window. He noted that clubs sometimes make decisions at the last minute, which could alter the current dynamics.
From Gladbach’s perspective, a loan arrangement would be preferable as it would allow them to avoid a large transfer fee. However, Leeds United’s stance is clear—they are not inclined to accept a loan deal. Although Wöber is a valued player, Leeds would consider selling him only for a substantial fee, which would benefit their financial situation.
If Wöber does leave Leeds United this summer, it is expected that the transfer fee would exceed £11 million, the amount the club paid to Salzburg when acquiring him. In the event of his departure, Leeds might turn their attention to Swiss defender Bruno Ogbus, who is currently under their watch. This potential shift reflects Leeds’ ongoing efforts to build a competitive squad with promising young talent, aiming to establish themselves firmly in the Premier League.