German news outlet BILD reports that Werder Bremen have completely ruled out signing Leeds United player Maximilian Wöber permanently. They will not pursue a deal once his loan agreement expires. The German publication indicates that the Bundesliga outfit see no value in triggering the purchase clause.
Disaster Loan Spell: Werder Bremen Abandon Wöber Deal
This clause reportedly stands at €4 million. Club officials initially viewed the Austrian defender as a potential bargain. They believed they could manage his fitness concerns. However, that hope is now gone. Constant injuries have ruined his time at the Weserstadion. This has left the club’s hierarchy frustrated and unwilling to spend more money on a player who barely plays.
Since arriving in the summer, Wöber has managed a pitiful total of 79 minutes on the pitch. His physical condition has only become worse. A fresh muscle problem currently keeps him out of training sessions. So, Werder Bremen consider the loan move a total failure.
They find themselves asking why they would pay millions for a defender stuck in the treatment room. The 27-year-old spends more time there than on the grass. The injuries that ruined his rhythm at Elland Road followed him back to Germany. This killed his chances of a career revival in the Bundesliga. The Austrian will almost certainly return to West Yorkshire at the end of the season.
A Financial Headache for Leeds United
This development creates a big problem for the bosses at Elland Road. Leeds United would have surely counted on that €4 million windfall in the summer. They would have hoped that Wöber would play well enough to earn a permanent move. Instead, the club must now prepare for the return of a high earner whose market value is tanking.
The Whites would have clearly wanted to cut ties for good. However, they now face the task of bringing back a player with a terrible fitness record. Otherwise, they have to try to find another buyer for a player who is constantly injured. Other clubs will find it very hard to pay a transfer fee for him. Very few teams want a centre-back who cannot stay fit for a full month.
Also, this situation messes up the club’s wider transfer plans. Daniel Farke likely wanted those wages off the books. This would have helped pay for new players who fit his system. Now, the recruitment team must scramble to find a solution. Maybe they will look for another loan to cover some of his salary.
They might also take a much lower fee just to get him out of the door. No matter what they decide to do, Wöber’s return is a burden rather than a boost. The “disaster” in Bremen forces Leeds to deal with a mess they thought they had already moved past.
