The transfer of forward Georginio Rutter from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim to Leeds United appears to be imminent, as per a report from 90min [9 January].
The deal, first reported by Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg over the weekend, is rumoured to be in the region of €40m (£30m).
This means signing Rutter may break the Whites’ current club record transfer fee of €33m for midfielder Brenden Aaronson from RB Salzburg this summer.
It would be a huge statement of intent from the Leeds United board, who seem committed to supporting manager Jesse Marsch financially as the Whites fight against relegation from the Premier League.
With 90min reporting that personal terms with the 20-year-old are “all but agreed”, it is suggested that Leeds are “close to finalising a deal” for the promising youngster.
If he were to sign Rutter would become the second signing in quick succession for the West Yorkshire club after the transfer of defender Max Wober from Salzburg was completed last week.
Promising
Leeds have built a reputation for themselves of often floundering when it comes to signing players in the January transfer window, but this time they appear to be bucking that particular trend.
The signing of Wober last week has gone down well amongst the Leeds faithful, especially after he made an impressive debut against Cardiff in the FA Cup over the weekend.
To make such a high-profile transfer in acquiring Rutter so soon after this shows the board really means business.
Whilst there are the usual concerns about whether a player from the Bundesliga can make the step up to the Premier League, Rutter could turn out to be an absolute coup of a signing.
Making signings such as these does increase the pressure on Marsch, however, as he no longer has lack of investment in the squad as an excuse to fall back on when the going gets tough.
This window is shaping up to be an exciting one for Leeds supporters, for once.
