Kai Wagner could be on the move. The Philadelphia Union left back has a host of suitors including multiple Champions League teams and sides in the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
A source tells Pro Soccer Wire that Wagner is being targeted by Leeds, Benfica, Stuttgart and Dinamo Zagreb. Leeds is “the most realistic option” right now according to one source although no definitive offers have come in yet.
The transfer would be in the ballpark of $3.5 million per the source. The German defender has been generating interest from Europe since last summer, but those rumors have heated up in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old has been tremendous for the Union since moving to MLS in 2019. With the Union’s pressing and counter-pressing system, he has settled in quite nicely and become one of the top outside backs in the league.
He has been an MLS All-Star selection each of the past two years.
Wagner’s playing style would appear to be a good fit for Leeds coach Jesse Marsch’s system. Wagner’s enthusiasm up and down the flank would be ideal for the frenetic pace preferred by Marsch. Ironically, Wagner was offered to the Red Bulls in 2019 prior to his move to the Union.
New York, at the time under Chris Armas, declined the possible move.
Leeds already boasts United States national team mainstays Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson. Adams played for Marsch both in New York with the Red Bulls and then at RB Leipzig before making his summer move to the Premier League side. Aaronson came up through the Philadelphia Union system and moved to Red Bull Salzburg two years ago.
The attacker secured a massive move to Leeds this offseason.
This season in 25 games (all starts), Wagner has 2,250 minutes played and 11 assists. Prior to his move to MLS, Wagner was playing in the German third tier with Würzburger Kickers.
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