Leeds United completing first sale of the window, £3.6m wages saved – Sky Sports journalist
Max Wöber Set for Leeds United Exit Amid Advanced Transfer Talks with Werder Bremen
Leeds United are set to part ways with Austrian defender Max Wöber, with a transfer to Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen now appearing imminent. Sources in Germany report that talks between the two clubs have progressed significantly, with a deal potentially being finalised before the end of the week.
The 27-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan in the Bundesliga, and despite returning to Elland Road this summer, it has become increasingly clear that he is not part of Daniel Farke’s plans moving forward. With Leeds recently securing the signings of Jaka Bijol from Udinese and Sebastiaan Bornauw from Wolfsburg for a combined fee of around £20 million, Wöber’s opportunities in the starting lineup have diminished significantly.
This leaves Leeds with five central defensive options, making Wöber surplus to requirements at a club now focused on preparing for life back in the Premier League. His performances since joining in January 2023 for £11 million have failed to convince fans or the current manager, and his time in West Yorkshire now looks to be drawing to a close.
During the recent international break in June, Wöber revealed that the Leeds ownership—led by 49ers Enterprises—had already informed him that he would be sold this summer. That announcement came on the heels of the club’s promotion back to the top flight, and it now appears that Werder Bremen are poised to offer him a fresh start.
According to German outlet Bild, the negotiations are now in the advanced stages, with a low seven-figure fee expected to seal the deal. That fee would represent a financial loss for Leeds when compared to the defender’s book value, estimated at £4.9 million. Nonetheless, the club is reportedly willing to absorb that loss, especially considering the financial relief of removing Wöber’s £35,000-a-week wages from the payroll—amounting to an annual saving of roughly £3.64 million.
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has further corroborated the story, describing the deal as “done,” with only the official confirmation pending. Bremen, who are currently the only Bundesliga side yet to make a summer signing, are set to break that silence with Wöber as their first acquisition.
While his departure from Leeds may be seen by some as overdue, it also comes with a touch of controversy. Wöber’s decision to push for an exit during Farke’s pre-season preparations last summer left a sour taste, and that perceived lack of commitment hasn’t been forgotten by supporters. His lukewarm reception at Elland Road after the club’s promotion-clinching win over Bristol City underlined that disconnect.
For Leeds, this transfer represents a clean break and a chance to move on with players who are fully committed to the project. The club has already upgraded in central defence and is building a squad more suited to Premier League survival. For Wöber, it’s a chance to reboot his career in Germany and perhaps reignite his hopes of earning a place in Austria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Given his admission that he didn’t want to be “rotting” on the bench at Leeds, this move is the best outcome for all involved—allowing the club to recoup funds and streamline their squad while offering the player a fresh opportunity to play regular top-flight football.