For Leeds United, it is not just Premier League promotion on the line ahead of Thursday’s play-off semi-final second-leg against Norwich City at Elland Road.
Even the most optimistic Leeds supporter would have to admit that, if Daniel Farke’s side are consigned to another season of Championship football, retaining the services of Willy Gnonto, Illan Meslier, Joe Rodon and the second-tier’s newly-crowned Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville may be easier said than done.
Gnonto and Summerville are almost certain to have clubs in various top-flights willing to stump up considerable sums. HITC understands Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have watched the latter.
Rodon, meanwhile, is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. A permanent deal may prove beyond Leeds’ financial reach without the riches of the Premier League.
A big summer ahead for Leeds United
The Yorkshire giants can, at least, raise funds for Rodon by cashing in on a number of other players who – unlike Summerville and Gnonto – will not be missed quite so keenly. Sell Marc Roca and Diego Llorente – both of whom are out on loan with options-to-buy clauses in their contracts – and Leeds will bring in £14 million.
Jack Harrison and Rasmus Kristensen, currently at Everton and Roma respectively, also seem likely to depart permanently, following in the footsteps of Robin Koch.
The situation facing one Maximilian Wober, however, appears to be a little more complex.
According to German publication Bild, the Austria international ‘will almost certainly’ say his goodbyes to Borussia Monchengladbach during the Bundesliga’s final day this weekend, with Leeds’ £15 million asking price seemingly beyond the figures Die Fohlen are willing – or able – to pay.
“We are having discussions with everyone involved. Of course, we would like to keep Max with us,” explains sporting director Roland Virkus. “But (Leeds) demands are extremely high.”
Wober moved to England from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2023. The Austria international was one of the few bright spots in a miserable few months at Elland Road, Leeds crashing out of the Premier League while leaving a flurry of failed managers in their wake.
Wober has been a regular at Gladbach, scoring twice and setting up three more goals in 24 Bundesliga starts. The man himself, meanwhile, is keen for some clarity on his future, preferably as soon as the whistle blows on Austria’s Euro 2024 campaign.
Maximilian Wober faces uncertain Elland Road future
“I haven’t been spoken to for a while now, but I’m relaxed about it,” Wober said recently. “After the European Championships, I would like to know where I will play afterwards. (Gladbach) will also be squad planning for next season.
“I’m curious whether anyone from Gladbach will come to me, or from Leeds too. Nobody has talked to me yet. Leeds are in the middle of a promotion fight, they have better things to do at the moment than talking to their loan players about their future.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
