Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has expressed his near certainty that no further players will leave the club, amid reports linking Max Wober with a move to Galatasaray.
The Turkish side are said to be interested in signing the Austrian defender before their transfer window closes, but Farke remains confident that Wober will stay put.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke addressed the speculation directly: “I haven’t really thought about this to be honest, never say never but we’re not tempted. Our group is not too big right now, 99.9% we will not lose any players.”
Leeds, who narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to Southampton in the Championship play-off final, have already seen several key departures over the summer.
Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter were among the high-profile exits before the English transfer window shut. Since then, rumours of further departures have quietened, but Galatasaray’s interest in Wober has reignited talk of potential moves.
Despite the fact that Wober has yet to feature for Leeds in the Championship this season – his only appearance coming in a League Cup defeat to Middlesbrough – Farke is adamant that the defender remains a key part of his squad.
With injuries already affecting his defensive options, particularly the absence of Pascal Struijk, Wober could yet prove crucial in the coming months. The Austrian is also capable of providing cover at left-back, a position where Junior Firpo has often been the only viable option.
Football is unpredictable, and while Wober may not be in Leeds’ current starting XI, Farke is well aware of the importance of squad depth as the season progresses.
“Our group is not too big right now,” the manager stated, and losing a versatile player like Wober without the possibility of bringing in a replacement would be a major blow. With only free agents available until January, Leeds cannot afford to lose further depth at the back.
As the Championship campaign intensifies, the fixture list will become increasingly congested, and the entire squad will need to be utilised.
In Wober, Leeds have a defender with international pedigree, and Farke is likely to call upon him when opportunities arise. Even if the player were open to a move, letting him go would almost certainly weaken Leeds defensively.
The transfer saga has been an unwanted distraction for Farke, who is eager to focus on football following a challenging summer. After weeks of uncertainty and speculation surrounding key players, the manager was no doubt relieved when the English window closed.
The rumoured interest from Galatasaray has reopened that door, but Farke remains confident that Wober will still be a Leeds player when the Turkish deadline passes.
For Farke, the focus now shifts back to the pitch, where he excels. Leeds have made a solid start to the season, and the squad will only improve as the new signings continue to settle and build an understanding with their teammates.
With the distraction of transfers soon to be behind him, Farke will be able to concentrate fully on guiding Leeds towards promotion.
Leeds’ next challenge comes on Saturday, as they welcome Burnley to Elland Road. Burnley, another side with promotion ambitions, will be a stern test, but Farke will hope his squad – including Wober – is up to the task.