Every now and again, it’s getting to be almost with regularity, the rumour mill stops spinning and Leeds United are yet again linked with Stuttgart’s attacking midfielder Alexandru Maxim. This time it is Romanian media site digisport.
The Romanian media site says that “negotiations between Stuttgart and Leeds are more advanced” before going on to mention that Romanian international Maxim “is tempted by a new challenge.”
The ‘history between Leeds United and Alexandru Maxim goes way back to before last season started, the Romanian playmaker being heavily linked to the Whites in the summer transfer window. As admitted by Maxim’s agent, there were talks between Leeds and Stuttgart at the time, but according to Herbert Briem, via Twitter account @VfBTransfers, the nature of these interactions were of “loose talks.”
27-cap international Maxim struggled for regular game time at certain points of the season just passed, appearing 25 times for Stuttgart in the 2.Bundesliga competition, averaging around 58 minutes of game time. He struggled mainly in the middle of the season where he only made only 109 minutes on the pitch across a 13-game span.
The digisport report though, not only are these rumours of a Maxim/Leeds United link resurfacing but they are also beginning to gain a little more strength and believability. Mention of “loose talk” as it was from Maxim’s agent, is now heading out of the window to be replaced with an opinion that a switch is “very close.”
Leeds United fans comment on Maxim transfer speculation
As with any transfer speculation, there is always fan interest in one way, shape or form. This interest intensifies when it is a player of the calibre of Alexandru Maxim, a player awarded a five-star Skill rating in FIFA17 – alongside a 76 basic rating.
It is safe to say that this speculation has definitely enthused Leeds United fans.
https://twitter.com/BazingaCJ/status/873505485072326656
From great starts of transfer windows to tears of happiness, Leeds fans are hoping that this is a transfer that rings true.
If those rumours of us being close to signing Alexandru Maxim are true, I think I might cry with happiness. 😍
— Dom. (@LufcDom) June 10, 2017
Some Leeds United fans are reading more into the interest and speculation in Maxim than just the transfer of a player between two clubs.
If we sign Maxim then this indicates strongly that @pepclotet must be staying in some way , as why would the player still be chosen #LUFC
— Laura (@lauralufcmot) June 10, 2017
Leeds United fans seem to answer the question posed by a fellow White. First the question…
https://twitter.com/THELUFCLAD/status/873478525063487488
…then the answers.
If we sign Maxim that's a quality signing. #lufc
— BC (@BC_LUFC) June 10, 2017
Please let it be true that Maxim is coming to Leeds 😍 what a talent #LUFC
— Matt James (@Matt1Lufc) June 10, 2017
For other fans, the speculation has a dream-like quality about it – in fact it’s a dream beyond dreams.
Maxim/Howson/Watkins would make a very good start to the summer #lufc
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) June 10, 2017
If we get Maxim what a signing even without a manager 😂😂💯 Maxim Hernandez Roofe
Wood— Style (@StyleLufc) June 10, 2017
However, not everyone thinks that this ‘deal’ is a foregone, or any other kind of, conclusion as the following tweeted reply shows.
https://twitter.com/jonathanwalsh_/status/873558245784395776
