Werder Bremen are highly unlikely to sign Leeds United defender Isaac Schmidt on a permanent deal this summer. The Bundesliga club are cooling on their €3m purchase option after a disappointing loan spell.
BILD has comments from Werder director Clemens Fritz today In an article covering the 26-year-old's disappointing season in Germany.
Schmidt joined the Bundesliga club on loan from Leeds in the summer. They struggled to make a deal for the full back and eventually secured a deal with 'favorable terms'.
He was considered an 'exciting back up' for the club but the match was not a success. Despite significant personnel problems at left-back, Schmidt failed to secure a starting place under Daniel Thiouane's former coach Horst Stephan.
January signing makes Schmidt third choice
Now his condition has become much worse. Olivier Damon arrived in the January transfer window and moved ahead of Schmidt, leaving him third in the pecking order.
As a result the likelihood of the vendor exercising its €3m purchase option is 'decreasing'. Fritz has hinted at 'playing for time' when asked about Schmidt's future.
"It is too early to say if and how things will continue into the summer," He said.
"We value Isaac highly for his versatility. His intensity and tenacity give every coach a good feeling."
The expectation is that the Leeds lender may experience growth of late. This has already been achieved by fellow loan teammate Cameron Puertas, who has gone from benchwarmer to the starting 11.
Replacement is in line for Leeds United player
However, the future is not looking bright. Werder Bremen in particular are already considering options. According to BILD, he has already sent a 'ready-to-sign' offer to Hertha Berlin's Michael Carbonik. He would be the logical successor to the Leeds United man.
Schmidt's poor performance continued in a disappointing year. He joined them in search of playing time after managing only 71 minutes for Leeds in the Championship the previous season. His total playing time was 251 minutes which included two appearances in the FA Cup.
This season, that number is 523 minutes in 15 appearances, but it is a far cry from what he or Werder were expecting. In fact, he has indicated that he wants the move to be made permanent.
Werder Bremen are already looking for options at left-back, with Leeds United now planning the return of Isaac Schmidt in the summer. That is until the late Renaissance changed his position in Germany.
