Leeds United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Hoffenheim striker Georginio Rutter.
The Whites’ attempts to sign a new striker have been ramped up massively in the last few days as they look to back their manager Jesse Marsch in the January transfer window. Marsch has made signing a striker one of his priorities to boost his team’s hopes of avoiding relegation.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Leeds United are set to sign Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter in a club-record £35.3m deal, with the player seemingly willing to join the club. Talks are at an advanced stage for the youngster, as a medical has been pencilled in for the next 48 hours.
Rutter, 20, has scored only twice in 17 games in all competitions this season for Hoffenheim and has an overall record of 11 goals in 64 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit. Should a move for the France under-21 international materialise, he would become Leeds’ second signing of the winter transfer window after they acquired the services of Austrian defender Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg.
Georginio Rutter to Leeds United—Good move?
Leeds United are still very much embroiled in the relegation dogfight. They will need to improve during the second half of the campaign in order to maintain their top-flight status next season.
The Yorkshire giants have been heavily reliant on Rodrigo for goals, with Patrick Bamford enduring another injury-hit campaign. Rodrigo has 10 goals in 16 Premier League appearances so far, mightily stepping up for Jesse Marsch’s side.
However, an injury to the Spaniard would leave Marsch’s team light in the offensive department—which is something the club must address in this transfer window. Marsch clearly needs more attacking options to work with, thus, making Hoffenheim’s Georginio Rutter a viable target to improve Leeds’ productivity in front of goal.
Rutter has demonstrated his quality in the Bundesliga since arriving from French club Rennes in 2021, and he will be determined to prove himself in the Premier League. The youngster has registered two goals and three assists across all competitions so far this season but he is capable of producing a lot more than that, provided he gets support from quality players around him.
The France under-21 international has the potential to become a top-class forward, and if he manages to quickly adapt to the demands of English football, the potential £35.3m fee spent on him may then look like a bargain for the Whites. A lot will depend on how Marsch eases Rutter into the team, but given Leeds’ position in the table, the fans will expect the 20-year-old to hit the ground running and start delivering the goods straightaway.
All in all, Leeds signing Georginio Rutter for the aforementioned fee could represent a smart long-term investment. It will be interesting to see how quickly he copes with the fast-paced and physical nature of English football and solves the Yorkshire club’s goalscoring woes.