Leeds United update on Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen as Brenden Aaronson set to return
Leeds United have not discounted out the possibility that Max Wober and Rasmus Kristensen could return to the club, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported in his Q&A for the outlet’s website on 14 June: “The latest I’ve had from the club is that nothing can be ruled out just yet.”
While he hasn’t been given the impression that the 49ers and Paraag Marathe would dismiss either defender as a matter of pride, when the club “distinctly” thought both would remain a year ago, he believes a club is likely to take Danish right-back Kristensen on loan and pay his wages, while there is only a small case to bring back Austrian Wober.
The former left for Roma and the latter for Borussia Monchengladbach last summer thanks to relegation release clauses, but American midfielder Brenden Aaronson is already coming back on reduced wages from his own loan to Union Berlin [Inside Elland Road, 13 June].
Daniel Farke has decisions to make on Leeds United loan returnees
On the strength of his one season at Elland Road in the Premier League there likely won’t be many Leeds United fans itching to see Kristensen back in the side.
But Daniel Farke currently has just midfielder Archie Gray, who would surely prefer to move into his preferred position if he shuns transfer interest to remain next term, and the injury-prone Sam Byram who spent last season on the left as his right-back options.
So the manager may decide to get the Dane a chance to do what Junior Firpo did and prove his worth in the Championship after struggling in the top flight.
Wober, despite the blow of his unexpected exit a year ago, fared far better on the whole in the Premier League so could be an asset at left-back or centre-back if he is ready to return and convinces Farke of that.
A deal with Tottenham to bring Joe Rodon back to the club is a priority but if that proves to be financially unviable the Whites could do worse than turn to Wober.
Neither potential returnees would be especially popular in the instance, but Farke has apparently decided to weather that potential storm with Aaronson already, and re-integrated Willy Gnonto last season to some success, so appears to be willing to go down that route.
In other Leeds United news, Farke could lose a player he wants to keep despite talks over an Elland Road stay.
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