Leeds United chase Aurele Amenda as Max Wober replacement after loan exit agreed
Leeds United are looking at Young Boys defender Aurele Amenda as they look to replace exit-bound Max Wober, according to Mail Plus.
The Austrian centre-back was an important part of the Whites defence last season after arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in January, and appeared set to stay for the Championship.
But he has now taken advantage of a loan release clause in his contract following relegation, like many of his teammates, and is set for Borussia Monchengladbach, to add to Daniel Farke’s “woes”.
Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, and Rasmus Kristensen have all departed on their own loan moves, potentially leaving Leeds United light at the back.
So 19-year-old Amenda is being eyed to come in and help fill the gap, despite only playing 26 senior matches for the Swiss side.
Scramble
The loss of Wober trumps that of the other three defenders who have departed as he was one of the few who managed to bring some calm to the Whites defence during a miserable campaign last term.
Farke would likely have been planning for the 25-year-old to be part of his starting line up in the Championship, having reportedly said he wanted to stay [Leeds Live, 6 July].
The primary candidates to fill in for him are already going to be youngsters, with Charlie Cresswell, 20, fresh from his campaign in the second tier with Millwall perhaps the most obvious option.
Diogo Monteiro, 18, arrived in January but hasn’t been in the limelight and there doesn’t appear to be major plans for him to graduate to the first team.
Bringing in another option who is still developing in Amenda, with the Swiss teenager only having broken into the Young Boys first team with any regularity in the second half of last season, might leave a lack of authority if Liam Cooper suffers more injury issues, with Pascal Struijk the only other real central option.
So Wober’s exit at this late stage is undoubtedly a significant blow to Farke who will need the gap filled sooner rather than later.
In other Leeds United news, the manager would “love” to sign one Premier League midfielder if he is available this summer says Phil Hay.