Leeds United continue to be active in the January transfer market as they seek to bolster their squad in the closing stages of the winter window.
Working within a restricted budget, the Whites have already added to their ranks by securing attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton, after he rejected an identical move last summer.
Leeds are also assessing potential striker options, although financial limitations are expected to make it difficult to secure one of their top targets before the deadline.
However, the club are keen to move on a few fringe players who are on loan next summer, and it seems they do not have to worry about the motivations of one of those stars.
Isaac Schmidt has indicated he has no plans to return to Leeds United
Isaac Schmidt joined Werder Bremen on loan from Leeds, and the German club have an option to make the move permanent for a deal worth £3m.
They didn’t pay any loan fee but are covering the defender’s wages during the loan stint. However, Bremen have not decided on whether to sign him on a permanent deal.
However, Schmidt insisted that his top priority is to stay at Werder Bremen as he loves the club, the city and the people, and is really enjoying his football.
But he conceded that the decision does not completely depend on him.
The defender is insistent that there is a realistic possibility of Bremen signing him on a permanent deal at the end of the season.
When told that Werder Bremen may not sign him on a permanent deal, Schmidt told Weser-Kurier: “I understand it; that’s a possibility. But I’m not that kind of player.
“My top priority is to stay at Werder. And if I absolutely want to stay here, then I have to do everything I can for the club now. I don’t want the club to go downhill. I like it here, I like the fans and the city.
“But: I have it in my own hands – and yet, I don’t. Ultimately, it’s not a decision I make alone.”
Schmidt explained: “It’s realistic [to stay here]. When you’re here on loan, it’s like a test where you have to show whether you can be an important player for the club. We’ll see in a few months.”
Schmidt has no future at Leeds
The Swiss defender hardly played in the Championship under Daniel Farke, and it was clear that the Leeds boss had little faith in the player.
He was allowed to leave last summer as soon as they signed James Justin, who has shown his worth in the Premier League this season.
| Bundesliga – Season Totals | |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 10 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Minutes Played | 377 |
With Schmidt happy at Werder Bremen, Leeds hope that the German club will take up the option to purchase him in the summer transfer window.
He does not have a future at Leeds going forward, and if he returns at the end of the season, he will be on the chopping block again in the summer.
