Max Wober has secured a season-long loan switch to Werder Bremen from Leeds United for the 2025/26 season.
Borussia Monchengladbach took the Leeds United defender on loan to the Bundesliga back in 2023/24, which was due to Wober activating a loan clause in his contract.
Daniel Farke utilised him sparingly last season, and despite the Austrian international’s ability to operate at both centre-back and left-back, he featured just nine times in all competitions.
It’s also been stated that Wober has been asked to leave Leeds following the club’s promotion back to the Premier League, and he has no future with the club.
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VfL Wolfsburg were keen on Wober alongside Borussia Monchengladbach, as our exclusive revealed. However, we also detailed that other unnamed Bundesliga sides were in the race.
With Leeds reportedly wanting around £5 million for Wober to make any kind of PSR profit. However, Werder Bremen were then in the mix for Wober.
The German outfit struck a deal for Wober yesterday and some claims were made that Leeds would receive £3.5 million for Wober. Instead, a loan has been secured, and our football finance expert explains why.
Adam Williams, speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, said: “We’re seeing more and more deals structured in this way. Sometimes it’s with an obligation to buy, other deals it’s just an option or a gentleman’s agreement, even.
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“From Leeds’ perspective, they presumably save 100 per cent of his wages – there aren’t any reliable figures out there, but let’s say it’s £2 million per year all-in.
“You also might get a small loan fee, which will be capitalised, which means it counts towards the bottom line, which in turn is what your PSR position is based on.
“A year down the line, he will have a more modest amortised book value, so any sale fee they generate about £2.3 or £2.4 million will be PSR profit.
“It works for all parties. It’s encouraging for Leeds fans who want to see as much spent in the transfer window as possible as it shows that their priority is creating and preserving PSR headroom, not cash flow.
“Also, if you’re saving £2 million annually in wages, you can theoretically spend £10 million on a transfer and it would have a net neutral PSR impact.
“Obviously, you’ve got to factor in that you would have to pay the wages of the player you signed for £10 million as well.
But it shows how you can create more short-term PSR headroom and structure your transfer dealings to align with your strategic priorities.
“For Leeds, that’s staying up, so it makes sense to prioritise the here-and-now in terms of PSR.”
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The figures behind the Max Wober deal as Werder Bremen insert clause
That same figure quoted by Williams has been backed up by Beren Cross of The Athletic. He states that his book value will be £2.4 million.
Evidently, wasn't going to play much for Leeds. There will be some frustration they haven't sold him, but they have to play the PSR game for every pound they can.
Will hope he has a good season and make a profit on book value of ˜£2.3m next summer. #lufc https://t.co/oRQLR1534W
— Beren Cross (@BerenCross) July 4, 2025
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You also have to imagine that playing regularly in Germany’s top flight will serve Wober’s stock and interest better from other parties, as opposed to a year of injuries and/or being a squad player with Leeds.
That is what he just endured in the Championship, which is why Leeds can make a profit next summer far easier if he becomes a regular for Werder Bremen. They themselves may also entertain a permanent deal in the final year of his Leeds contract.
However, as stated above by Joe Donnohue, there is also the condition for a deal of that type written into the contract as well. Leeds fans will hope that this is the last they ever see of the 27-year-old in West Yorkshire.