Leeds United are ‘progressing fast’ over a transfer for Hoffenheim striker Georginio Rutter, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The Whites could end up splashing out a club-record fee on the talented 20-year-old as manager Jesse Marsch attempts to add some much-needed firepower to his forward line.
Leeds United transfer news – Rutter
Reliable Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Leeds are eager to wrap up a deal for Rutter as soon as possible and that Hoffenheim are aware of their interest.
It’s claimed that negotiations between the two clubs have evolved around a transfer fee in the region of €30 million (£26.4m) and €40 million (£35.2m).
Rutter still has three and a half years left to run on his current £15,000-per-week contract at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena, meaning Hoffenheim hold all the cards at this moment in time.
Questions may be asked about the fee given the France Under-21 international has only bagged 12 goals in 69 senior club appearances, though, especially when Leeds need an instant return on their investment.
However, Jesse Marsch’s charges don’t appear to have many concerns over Rutter’s ability, and a big-money move could be just around the corner.
What has Jones said about Rutter?
When asked for an update on Rutter’s potential switch to Leeds, Jones told GMS that ‘Hoffenheim are pretty much doing cartwheels’ over the prospective deal.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
He said: “I’m hearing Rutter has been progressing fast. From what I hear, Hoffenheim are pretty much doing cartwheels over this one.
“They only bought him for about £500,000 a couple of years ago, and we’re looking at Leeds spending a record fee potentially on this player. And again, that’s huge elevation, and a massive spend if Leeds do actually go ahead with it.”
Where does Rutter fit in at Leeds?
Star striker Patrick Bamford has been unable to stay fit over the last 18 months, starting just 11 Premier League games since the beginning of 2021/22.
Rodrigo, who typically prefers to play just behind a centre-forward, has registered 11 goals so far this season in Bamford’s absence while playing in an unfamiliar role.
Yet youngsters Wilfried Gnonto and Joe Gelhardt have provided a combined total of one strike across all competitions, highlighting the need for more strength in depth upfront.
Whether Rutter is the ideal candidate to do just that is up for debate, but the Leeds hierarchy evidently believe he is capable of solving their issues in the final third of the pitch.
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