Phil Hay makes kick in the teeth claim as Max Wober in talks over permanent Leeds United exit
Phil Hay claims that Max Wober made a u-turn over his decision to stay at Leeds United after they got relegated from the Premier League.
The Athletic journalist revealed on the Square Ball that he was given the indication he would stay and that he was fine to play a season in the second tier and that they planned on building the defence around him.
However, with Bayer Leverkusen coming at the door, he’s set to join them on loan with talks over a permanent option being discussed.
Hay said at 6:40, “Wober seems like the first kick in the teeth for departures at Leeds. I understand that people on the outside are looking at it and ‘Loan after loan after loan’ and Wober being the latest. There were many who Leeds would have not opposed at all but Wober was definitely the one they wanted to keep.
“You can sense in the tone of comments from Farke after that, that it was a disappointment and it was a blow. He was somebody they would’ve liked to build a defence around.
“He was someone who was given the indication that he would stay and was happy to stay and to stick it out in the Championship but there is this offer from Borussia Monchengladbach and it looks like he’s going to go. Last time I asked this, it wasn’t agreed but there were discussions of a permanent option too.”
Strange
Just after a few months, it looks like Wober will be leaving and perhaps may never return to Elland Road again.
If the German side are successful in putting in a buy option and he does have a good season there, they may exercise that.
Like Hay said, everything initially seemed like he would be staying put at Elland Road for at least another season but now that does not seem to be happening.
Farke will undoubtedly be disappointed as this is a sudden change of heart by the Austrian and jeopardises his plans.
He will now have to enter the market for a centre-back as well as it seems like Ethan Ampadu will be playing in midfield.
It remains to be seen if the buy option is included and how Leeds can successfully aim to receive from Monchengladbach for his services.