Leeds United set Max Wober 'price tag' as he strives to send Euro 2024 message — YEP 17/6/24
By Will Jackson
Leeds United have reportedly slapped a €15m price tag on Max
Wober as the defender approaches what can only be described as an uncertain
summer. Wober spent last season on loan at Bundesliga side Borussia
Monchengladbach after choosing to leave Leeds rather than represent the club in
the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League.
The defender was a regular with Gladbach and made 27
appearances for the club, scoring two goals and setting up three more. As such,
Die Fohlen were said to be keen on signing Wober permanently this summer in a
move that would end his spell in West Yorkshire and give him the opportunity to
play top flight football once more next season.
However, according to Bild, the club will be looking to
receive a sizeable fee for the 26-year-old and there are doubts about whether
Gladbach would be able to pay it. It means that as it stands Wober faces the
possibility of returning to Leeds in the summer, unsure of his next step.
Of course, having seen Brenden Aaronson welcomed in from the
cold by Daniel Farke this month, there is the possibility that Wober could end
up being part of the manager's plans this season. Aaronson was one of those
expected to leave Elland Road this summer after his season long loan with Union
Berlin.
The American has held positive talks with Farke, though, and
it seems he will be given the chance to help the Whites back into the top
flight next season. Whether Farke would take the same approach with Wober
remains to be seen.
It seems as though we will have to wait until after Euro
2024 to get clarity on the defender's situation with Wober involved in Ralf
Rangnick's Austria squad.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Wober said on his
situation: "My aim was to answer the club question before the Euros. But
it is what it is now. I told my manager that he doesn't need to call me or tell
me anything in the next four weeks. I want to play in the Euros now. After that
we'll see where it goes."
Austria's Euro 2024 campaign kicks off tonight as they take
on France in their first group stage game in Dusseldorf. Opening games don't
get much tougher with the Austrians given the unenviable task of trying to
stifle the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele,
before taking on Poland and the Netherlands in their remaining fixtures.
It remains to be seen if Wober will be involved against the
French but if he is given the nod by Rangnick, his first outing at a major
tournament will be a chance for him to impress and prove his worth to either
Farke or any interested parties.
The defender has 25 caps to his name and has started six of
Austria's last eight games, which might give him hope of being involved from
the start this evening.
