Daniel Farke transfer twist: Isaac Schmidt could now completely change 49ers summer plans
Daniel Farke could soon welcome Isaac Schmidt back into the fold at Leeds United.
The Whites' first-team squad are scheduled to return for pre-season training on 13 July and the versatile defender may be a part of the contingent at Thorp Arch.
After leaving the West Yorkshire outfit on loan last summer, the Switzerland international will be back playing under Farke soon, as things stand.
Schmidt's return from Werder Bremen presents the Elland Road hierarchy with an opportunity to shift focus away from defensive transfers.
Farke is without Sam Byram and Pascal Struijk ahead of next season, with the Dutch centre-back joining Brighton and Hove Albion permanently.
While the German manager would certainly love to add more depth to his backline, 49ers Enterprises may have a different idea as they walk a financial tightrope.
How Isaac Schmidt could be trump card for 49ers at Leeds United
Leeds signed Schmidt for a £4.6million package deal from St. Gallen in 2024, but he struggled with fitness issues in his debut season.
Farke subsequently decided to let the Swiss defender join Werder Bremen on loan, where he once again wasn't the first name on the teamsheet.
Schmidt is wanted by FC Basel and BSC Young Boys this summer, but the Elland Road hierarchy may be better off keeping him.
Paraag Marathe has admitted that the West Yorkshire outfit have to be careful about how much they spend in the coming weeks and Schmidt could be the perfect replacement for Byram.
With James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson capable of playing as left-centre-backs, the Swiss national's continuity in LS11 may stop the Peacocks from having to spend a significant fee for Struijk's successor.
How Isaac Schmidt fared in Bundesliga
Werder Bremen had the option to buy Schmidt after his loan spell, but it's safe to see why they didn't trigger it.
The right-footed defender mostly played as a left-back for the German club, making 19 Bundesliga appearances but starting just six times.
As per Sofascore, the Switzerland international created zero big chances and kept zero clean sheets with Werder Bremen.
Schmidt did win more than half of his ground duels and 70 per cent of his air duels, something that could be a slight positive for the Whites.
The defender could get a chance to prove himself at Elland Road, but it remains to be seen whether he can take it.