Borussia Monchengladbach may be moving away from a deal for Leeds United defender Maximilian Wöber, with a free agent alternative now in their sights.
Gladbach Live cover the situation today, explaining that in the event of Wöber not being signed on a permanent basis from Leeds this summer, the German side have identified an alternative.
They explain that while they want to keep Wöber after his loan deal expires, the reality is that Leeds €17m asking price is too much.
The Bundesliga club need Leeds to reduce that if a deal is to happen, even if recent reports have indicated that they may give in and simply pay to get the defender from Elland Road.
If there isn’t enough money available, though, the club may have found a ‘charming solution’ to the matter in the form of his compatriot David Affengruber.
They relay information from Kronen Zeitung, who report that Gladbach are showing an interest in the 23-year-old, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.
He’s “very popular” at the German club according to journalist Burghard Enzinger and the conditions for a transfer are ideal, at least compared to the situation with Leeds and Wöber.
Because he’s available on a free they can negotiate directly with him and avoid paying a fee, avoiding a big hurdle and saving their money for strengthening elsewhere.
The suggestion is that Gladbach could abandon their efforts for Wöber if Leeds don’t bring the price down and bring in the free agent instead, because that deal is so much easier for them to get done.
Perhaps that’s just a warning for those in charge at Elland Road, who seemingly don’t want Wöber back but risk missing out on a fee for him if they demand too much this summer.
