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Leeds: Whites targeting Philipp Max swoop
Leeds United are reportedly preparing an offer to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Philipp Max, according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb.
The lowdown: Left back crisis
The Whites are currently dealing with yet another problem position caused by injuries after Junior Firpo joined Stuart Dallas on the long-term absentee list during pre-season.
Both senior left-back options are expected to miss the opening weeks of the season and this week Leeds sanctioned the sale of youngster Leif Davis to Ipswich Town.
As such, the Elland Road ranks are currently bereft of an option to start against Wolves, with only 18-year-old Leo Hjelde in the squad as a natural in the position, an issue that Victor Orta could be set to delve into the market to rectify…
The latest: Max wanted
As per Tuttomercatoweb, Leeds are understood to be readying an offer to sign the three-cap Germany international.
It’s claimed that the Yorkshire outfit have ‘decided’ to make an €8million (£6.7million) bid in an attempt to sign the former Bayern Munich youngster.
The report states that Leeds have ‘targeted’ Max – who was hailed as ‘outstanding’ following his instant impact in Holland by Dutch football expert Michael Bell – in order to bolster Jesse Marsch’s ranks.
The verdict: Shrewd move
Holding a market value of £7.2million and under contract until 2024 (Transfermarkt), signing Max for anything close to the mooted offer would be a superb piece of business from Leeds.
Albeit perhaps somewhat of a knee-jerk reaction to the current injury issues, the experienced German would provide an upgrade on Firpo, who struggled for consistency during 2021/22 having arrived from Barcelona last summer.
The 25-year-old only contributed to one goal in 27 outings, meanwhile, Max scored twice and provided six assists for PSV last term, earning a 6.78 Sofascore rating whilst winning 3.3 duels, making 1.3 key passes and taking 1 shot on average per game in the Eredivisie – outlining a proficiency in both attack and defence.
That form, combined with 275 domestic appearances during an impressive career to date, would make the marauding full-back a smart addition to Marsch’s squad and one that the Elland Road hierarchy should be pushing to get over the line.
