⚪ Leeds United’s Summer Shake-Up: Major Departures, Key Arrivals & the End of the Max Wöber Era
With pre-season preparations in full swing, Leeds United are undergoing one of their most pivotal transfer windows in recent years. After the heartache of narrowly missing out on promotion back to the Premier League, Daniel Farke and the Elland Road hierarchy have wasted no time in reshaping the squad—aiming to offload those who no longer fit the vision, secure long-term assets, and bring in proven quality ahead of the 2025–26 Championship campaign.
This past week has seen a flurry of transfer activity, with multiple confirmed departures, a new £5m defensive signing, and the club taking steps to retain one of their most important attacking players. But most notably, Leeds have now finalised the exit of Max Wöber, a once-promising acquisition whose time in West Yorkshire has ended in disappointment.
Let’s explore what’s happening at Elland Road, and what it all means for Leeds United going forward.
🔁 Departures at Elland Road: A Necessary Reset
The start of the summer has been about clearing the decks. Leeds, still burdened by a Premier League-sized wage bill and bloated squad, have taken steps to streamline their roster and part ways with players whose contribution hasn’t matched expectations.
🚪 Junior Firpo – Return to Real Betis Imminent
After two frustrating seasons at Elland Road, Junior Firpo is set to return to Real Betis, the Spanish club where he first made a name for himself. Injuries and inconsistency defined his time in England, and with Sam Byram and new signings being eyed in that position, Firpo’s exit feels like a natural and overdue move.
🚪 Joe Rothwell – Joining Rangers
Joe Rothwell, signed on loan from Bournemouth in January, made limited impact during his brief stay at Leeds. It was clear from the outset that his move was more of a stopgap than a long-term solution. He now joins Rangers, where he will hope for more regular minutes in the Scottish Premiership.
🚪 Manor Solomon – Another Move That Didn’t Work Out
Highly rated upon arrival and once seen as a potential star, Manor Solomon simply couldn’t get going at Leeds. Injuries and tactical mismatches made it difficult for him to break into Farke’s system, and his departure comes with little surprise.
All three of these exits point to the same trend: a manager and club hierarchy that are being decisive and unsentimental about building a squad that fits Farke’s tactical style and physical demands.
🆕 A New Arrival: Sebastiaan Bornauw Signs from Wolfsburg
On the incoming front, Leeds confirmed the signing of Belgian international Sebastiaan Bornauw from Wolfsburg earlier this week. The centre-back arrives for a reported fee of around £5 million and has signed a four-year contract, reflecting a long-term investment by the club.
📊 Who is Sebastiaan Bornauw?
Bornauw, 25, brings top-level experience from the Bundesliga and international pedigree with Belgium. Known for his aerial presence, aggressive tackling, and leadership qualities, he fits the mold of a modern, ball-playing centre-back. At 6’2″, he brings much-needed height and composure to a Leeds backline that at times looked vulnerable under pressure last season.
With Leeds still stung by the defensive frailties that cost them dearly in the play-off final against Southampton, Bornauw could be a cornerstone for Farke’s rebuild. He’s not just a replacement — he’s potentially a leader in the dressing room and a linchpin in the heart of defence.
🔐 Locking Down Talent: Dan James Close to New Deal
In addition to trimming and strengthening the squad, Leeds are also working to retain key players, and winger Dan James appears to be next in line for a contract extension.
👀 Premier League Interest
With his contract set to expire in 2026, Everton and other top-flight clubs have reportedly expressed interest in the Welsh international. However, Leeds are keen to avoid a repeat of last summer’s departures and are close to agreeing a new long-term deal that would keep James at the club and reward him for his performances last season.
James was a crucial figure in Farke’s high-pressing system, offering relentless work rate, blistering pace, and improved end product. Locking him down would be a statement of intent — that Leeds aren’t just rebuilding, they’re building to win.
❌ The Max Wöber Saga: A Costly Experiment Comes to an End
The most significant departure news, however, revolves around Max Wöber, whose time at Leeds has officially come to an end. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the Austrian international has agreed to join Werder Bremen on a permanent deal, with the transfer expected to be announced within days.
📉 What Went Wrong?
When Wöber arrived in January 2023 from Red Bull Salzburg under Jesse Marsch, there was genuine excitement. A versatile, left-footed defender who could also play in midfield, Wöber was seen as a smart, tactical addition — someone who understood Marsch’s pressing game and could add steel to the back line.
His debut performance in the FA Cup against Cardiff was eye-catching. Coming off the bench to play in defensive midfield, Wöber helped turn the game around, and Leeds fans hoped they had a leader in the making.
However, that optimism was short-lived.
Wöber suffered multiple injury setbacks, including two knee surgeries.
After Leeds’ relegation, he was one of eight players who activated Victor Orta’s controversial loan relegation clause, spending last season at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Upon return, he made only 9 appearances under Farke, who clearly didn’t see him as a fit for his plans.
Despite limited game time, Wöber remained in the Austria national team setup, featuring at international level due to his prior reputation.
In total, Wöber played just 28 matches in a Leeds shirt — a deeply underwhelming return for a player who was expected to be a core defensive asset. According to estimates, he cost Leeds £357,000 per appearance, making him one of the least cost-effective signings in recent memory.
✅ Werder Bremen Deal Finalised
Plettenberg reports that Wöber’s transfer to Werder Bremen is a “done deal.” Key details include:
Contract: Runs until 2029, showing Bremen’s long-term commitment.
Fee: Described as a low single-digit million euro fee — likely between €2m–€4m.
Timeline: The move is expected to be announced within 2–3 days.
He joins a Werder side that finished an impressive 8th in the Bundesliga last season, and he’ll now have the opportunity to restart his club career in a less pressurised environment — and return to regular football.
Interestingly, he joins the former club of Ilia Gruev, who made the switch from Werder to Leeds last summer. Perhaps the two clubs have developed a growing relationship behind the scenes.
🔎 What Does This Mean for Leeds Going Forward?
The departure of Wöber — like Firpo, Solomon, and Rothwell — is about more than just clearing space. It’s a reflection of a new era at Leeds United, one where every move is designed to shape a squad that is leaner, more committed, and in full alignment with the manager’s tactical demands.
💡 Strategic Takeaways:
Farke is fully backed: The club is clearly supporting Farke in building a squad in his image.
Smart spending: The £5m outlay on Bornauw, combined with low-cost exits, reflects better financial management.
Core player retention: Moves to renew Dan James’ contract signal that Leeds want to build stability, not just overhaul the squad.
Promotion mindset: These are not the moves of a mid-table Championship club. Leeds are building to challenge again.
⚽ What’s Next for Leeds in the Transfer Market?
With several outgoing players already off the books and one new signing confirmed, expect Leeds to remain active in the coming weeks. Likely priorities include:
A new striker to replace or compete with Joel Piroe.
Reinforcements in central midfield, especially with Ethan Ampadu potentially moving deeper into defense.
Additional wide options, particularly if Wilfried Gnonto departs.
More deals — both in and out — are expected before the end of July, as the club looks to finalise the squad before their opening Championship fixture.
📌 Final Thoughts
This week’s developments represent a significant and deliberate shift in direction for Leeds United. The exit of Max Wöber, though disappointing in hindsight, is part of a broader strategy to reshape the squad for sustained success and immediate promotion. Under Daniel Farke’s guidance, Leeds are no longer clinging to past projects or reputations. They’re looking forward — with clarity, intent, and purpose.
If this week is any indication, Leeds are setting the