Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Tue 31 March 2026 12:10, UK

Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt’s chances of completing a permanent exit may hinge on whether Werder Bremen stay in the Bundesliga or not.

That is according to German football expert Keven Bader, who exclusively told MOT Leeds News that he believes Schmidt would be a “bargain” recruit if Werder maintain their top-flight status.

Schmidt signed for Leeds from Swiss Super League team St. Gallen for £2.5million in the summer of 2024 but he has struggled to make an impact at Elland Road.

Indeed, the full-back played 14 times in all competitions but just two of those were starts as Leeds won the Championship title in 2024-25.

The 26-year-old is currently out on loan at Bremen, with the Bundesliga outfit having an option to buy the Leeds man for around £3-3.5m this summer. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

Leeds may sell Isaac Schmidt despite underwhelming season

Schmidt has played 16 times for Bremen, scoring once. He has played as a left-back, right-back, right winger, and as a wing-back, too.

But once again, he has struggled for regular first-team action, with Schmidt starting a meagre five league games this term.

Both he and fellow Leeds loanee Max Wober haven’t set the world alight at Die Werderaner, with the latter’s campaign hugely curtailed by injury.

Now, Fotbollskanalen writer Bader has given his verdict on Schmidt’s season, and although he concedes it hasn’t been a big success, Leeds may still be able to sell the defender.

He said: “Unfortunately, neither Isaac Schmidt nor Maximilian Wober have had a particularly good season at Werder Bremen.

“Currently, it remains uncertain whether Bremen will trigger the purchase option for Schmidt. Sporting director Clemens Fritz has stated that the situation is still open, with Schmidt primarily featuring as a substitute this season.

“When it comes to Schmidt, I still believe there is added value for Werder Bremen there. It’s clear that Schmidt possesses good quality; he just hasn’t quite managed to show it on the pitch yet.

“If Bremen stay up, I still think the deal will happen, considering the price tag. It would be quite a bargain for Werder Bremen to land a Swiss international for the kind of money being discussed.”

Can Leeds United cash-in on a low-risk signing?

Leeds signed Swiss international Schmidt for a relatively modest fee but it is safe to say the move hasn’t worked out.

Schmidt was behind the likes of Jayden Bogle, Junior Firpo, and Sam Byram in the full-back pecking order last season and ahead of this campaign, it became clear he wasn’t in Daniel Farke’s plans.

According to Sofascore, he has a rating of 6.67 for the season, and per 90 minutes, Schmidt is averaging 0.5 interceptions, 0.8 tackles, and 2.1 balls recovered. Plus, he has won 55 per cent of his total duels.

Schmidt’s Leeds contract has just over two years left on it and if Leeds play their cards right, they may make a slight profit on their initial outlay.

After a wretched winter period, Bremen have won three of their last four matches, but Schmidt hasn’t featured much in that stretch.

They are four points above the relegation zone with seven games to go. Such is Schmidt’s versatility, he may be a good squad option for Bremen. For now, though, a decision on his future may go down to the wire.