Maximilian Wöber is poised to complete a move to FC Schalke 04 after passing his medical examination on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Austrian centre-back, who remains under contract with Leeds United, trained individually at the Royal Blues’ Austrian training camp before successfully undergoing the necessary health checks.
The defender is expected to sign a performance-based contract with the German club imminently. His arrival follows a disappointing loan spell at Werder Bremen last season, where persistent injuries restricted him to just four appearances across all competitions.
Werder stay falls through
Wöber’s temporary switch to the Bundesliga outfit was intended to provide regular first-team football, but fitness issues derailed his campaign. With Werder unwilling to trigger their €4million purchase option, the centre-back was forced to seek alternative opportunities despite his existing Leeds deal.
Schalke have acted quickly to secure his services, offering terms that reflect his recent availability issues. The performance-based structure ensures the club only bear significant cost if the Austrian proves his fitness and features regularly during the coming campaign.
Defensive reshuffle
Wöber’s impending signature appears to have ended Schalke’s interest in Felix Uduokhai. The German defender had been linked with a switch from Turkish Süper Lig side Beşiktaş, but the Royal Blues will reportedly abandon that pursuit to accommodate Wöber instead.
Prior to his stint at Werder Bremen, Wöber gained additional Bundesliga experience during a loan spell with Borussia Mönchengladbach. He now seeks to revive his career in Germany, offering Schalke defensive depth without the commitment of a guaranteed long-term salary.