Leeds United and Wolves 'want loan deal' for Bundesliga star
The latest transfer talk from Elland Road as Leeds United look to add to their squad during the January transfer window.
Leeds United and Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are both reportedly keen on a loan deal for Slovakia international Denis Vavro.
The 29-year-old centre-back started his career in his homeland with Zilina but has spent the remainder of his career in Denmark, Italy, Spain and Germany after enjoying spells with the likes of Copenhagen, Lazio, Huesca and Wolfsburg over the last nine years. Vavro is currently with the latter of that quartet after joining them from Copenhagen during the summer transfer window - but he has made just five appearances in all competitions so far this season after suffering an adductor injury earlier in the campaign.
However, the story of his season is currently playing out after Vavro was allegedly involved in a controversial incident over the Christmas break after video footage was said to have shown him striking a 17-year-old fan during an indoor football tournament in Slovakia. German outlet Kicker and TV Noviny have claimed the defender could face a ban from his national team and the incident is being investigated.
Slovakian football association spokesman Juraj Čurný said: "We condemn Denis Vavro's inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour at the Christmas indoor tournament in Preseľany, which was contrary to the statute of a member of a national team. The Disciplinary Committee will decide on any consequences.”
Confirm
Despite that ongoing investigation, Vavro’s agent Martin Petras has suggested the defender has interest during the January transfer window and has stated both Leeds and Wolves are both keen on securing a loan deal given Vavro’s lack of game-time during the first half of the season.
He told Slovakia’s TV Noviny: “I’ve heard reports that AS Roma and Fiorentina are interested in him, and I’ve also read about interest from Leeds and Wolverhampton. I can confirm that clubs are asking about him. From Italy, Spain, the Premier League, but also other teams from the Bundesliga. Everyone wants a loan deal, they are focusing on the fact that he hasn’t played recently. However, when we insist on a transfer, they don’t want it, saying that it’s not interesting for them. This is because many clubs don’t have the funds for transfers during the winter transfer window.”
Interest persists
Petras went on to stress a move to England would be ‘a dream’ for Vavro and gave some indication of the fee Wolfsburg could demand if they were to authorise a permanent departure before the January transfer window comes to a close earlier next month.
He said: “€5m to €7m. Wolfsburg also value him approximately this way. Denis is certainly worthy of this money, he proved it with statistics. It’s our dream to try it. The English league would suit him with its style. I believe he’ll play another good half a year in Germany and either we can last one more season in Wolfsburg and then he’ll be a free agent, or if the interest persists, a few million is nothing for English teams. So, we’ll keep the Premier League in the dream drawer.”
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