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Leeds United transfer news: Club-record signing close as forward pencilled in for medical in next 48 hours
Leeds United are close to sealing a club-record transfer for Hoffenheim centre-forward Georginio Rutter, with the Frenchman set to undergo his medical in the coming days.
Whites manager Jesse Marsch has been on the hunt for attacking reinforcements this winter and it is looking increasingly likely that the 20-year-old will become his second January addition through the door.
Rutter is considered to be one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe at the moment, so it would be a major coup if Leeds get the deal over the line as expected.
This is according to Sky Sports Germany, who claim that Rutter will take his medical ahead of a switch to Elland Road in the next 48 hours.
Hoffenheim and Leeds have reportedly agreed a transfer package worth up to €40m (£35.3m), which would surpass the Whites’ current transfer record of £27m that they paid to sign Rodrigo from Valencia in 2020.
The youngster began his career in Ligue 1, making five senior appearances for Rennes, scoring one goal, before joining the German side in February 2021.
Since, Rutter has become a key player for Hoffenheim, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet last season, scoring eight goals and creating four in 33 league appearances.
This season, the player has generally maintained his spot in the starting XI, netting twice and making two assists in 15 Bundesliga matches so far.
While these aren’t prolific numbers, he is very highly rated by his club, as well as his country, with Rutter already picking up four caps for France’s under-21 team.
Leeds’ second January signing in Rutter may be the start of a busy window
If the deal for Rutter is completed as expected, this will be the Whites’ second January already, after the arrival of defender Maximilian Wober from Red Bull Salzburg on an £11m deal.
As reported earlier, the signing of Rutter is likely to result in young forward Joe Gelhardt leaving Leeds on a temporary basis this winter.
Marsch rates Gelhart very highly, but so far this season the former Wigan Athletic player has found consistent first-team opportunities hard to come by.
Indeed, while he has featured 17 times across all competitions this season, 13 of those have been off the bench, with the Englishman making just one Premier League start.
Victor Orta and co are reportedly also heavily interested in a move for Azzedine Ounahi, who was one of Morocco’s star players in the World Cup as they reached the semi-finals.
It is believed that the Whites have tabled a £22m offer for the Angers midfielder, but they will face competition from Tottenham, Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
With two new signings all but confirmed, we could be looking at a revolutionised Leeds team in the second half of this season.