Recently reports from German media outlet Bild had emerged that Leeds United were willing to spend 7m on Wolfsburg’s midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj. Along with the Whites, Championship toppers, Norwich City were also said to be interested. However, both the teams have been dealt a blow as the midfielder extended his contract with the German outfit until 2023 as posted by the club’s official Twitter account.
The report from the Bild had mentioned that Rexhbecaj was keen on staying in the Bundesliga after having an impressive campaign with Wolfsburg. The Whites meanwhile are fighting to get into the English top flight, and they will have to achieve that the hard way, i.e. by winning the playoffs.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men occupied the direct promotion spot for most of the season but their wheels came off during the last month of the campaign, and Sheffield United pipped them to the second spot. One of the reasons for the club’s loss of form was their inability to convert chances. The other important factor was the club didn’t have a squad large enough to keep up the challenge for the whole season.
Why Leeds United need a midfielder?
Mateusz Klich started every game in the Championship this season. Midfield is anyway known to be a tiring position, and given the high-intensity brand of football which the Whites play, the Polish international looked jaded on various occasions. The only option which Bielsa had at his disposal was Adam Forshaw who missed some part of the season due to injury. Forshaw was even a deputy for Kalvin Phillips in the defensive midfield position.
Therefore the Whites need to sign central midfielders in the upcoming transfer window, and the recent report of Rexhbecaj signing a new deal should come as a blow to the club.
What now for Bielsa?
United were anyway going to find it hard to lure a talent like Rexhbecaj as it is still uncertain which division they might play in the next season. Wolfsburg are a regular top half Bundesliga club and moving to Leeds United would have been a downward step for the player as he has managed to establish himself in the starting eleven with the German club.
The 21-year-old is a decent ball playing midfielder who showcases good energy in the middle of the park. He is still a work in progress as he is yet to reach his true potential. Leeds United now need to look at other options for the next season now that their hopes of signing the German player has been completely dashed.
