Werder Bremen share Ilia Gruev confirmation amid intense Leeds United transfer speculation
Werder Bremen director of football Clemens Fritz has confirmed that Leeds United target Ilia Gruev is in England ahead of a move away from Germany.
As reported by Werder Bremen on X (31 August), Fritz revealed that the Bulgarian international’s move to Elland Road still had some details to be ironed out, but that he expects the deal to be completed today.
After days of intense speculation around a move, Sky Sports Germany reported (31 August) that a total agreement has been reached between the club, with Fritz now confirming the deal.
It’s happening
While reliable sources are often more than enough for a fanbase to get excited about a potential new signing, confirmation from a player’s own director of football is as close to confirmation as you can get before an official announcement.
Leeds have been remarkably active in the closing days of the window, with Djed Spence already completing his loan move from Tottenham, while Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara is close to a £5million move to the Whites, as reported by Fabrizio Romano (31 August).
With more new additions coming late to bolster the squad, both Daniel Farke and the Leeds United fanbase will feel a lot more confident in achieving promotion back to the Premier League this season.
While their league campaign has been inconsistent so far, the new signings and returning injured players, including Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo and Liam Cooper, will set the side up for a much stronger campaign from here on out.
As for Gruev, he has been an ever-present for Bremen for the last two seasons and got a full campaign of top-flight experience in the Bundesliga after he helped the side win promotion in 2021/22.
With a promotion already in his locker, he will hope to achieve the same with the Whites this season.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have “surprisingly” pulled out of a deal for a Championship midfielder.