Transfer Centre

Leeds United 'in advanced talks to sign Hoffenheim's Georginio Rutter'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 08 January 2023

Leeds 'in advanced talks to sign Georginio Rutter'

Leeds United are reportedly in advanced talks with Hoffenheim over a €30m (£26.5m) deal to sign 20-year-old forward Georginio Rutter.

Leeds United are reportedly in advanced talks with Hoffenheim over a deal to sign forward Georginio Rutter.

Jesse Marsch is keen to bolster his attacking options in the January transfer window and is said to have identified the 20-year-old as one of his primary targets.

Patrick Bamford has been struggling with injuries throughout this season, starting only four times in the Premier League, which has forced Rodrigo to play regularly as a central striker.

Leeds have already completed the signing of defender Maximilian Wober from Red Bull Salzburg for around £11m, and they are now prepared to make a statement signing in attack.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, talks between Leeds and Hoffenheim are 'very advanced' over a deal for Rutter, and fee in the region of €30m (£26.5m) is currently being discussed.

Hoffenheim's Georginio Rutter in action with Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano on October 22, 2022 © Reuters

Romano adds that talks between both clubs will continue within 'the next hours/days', with the French forward having already agreed personal terms over a move to Elland Road.

Rutter began his professional career with Ligue 1 club Rennes, making his debut in September 2020, and made only five senior appearances before joining Hoffenheim just five months later.

The 6ft 0in forward was gradually integrated into the first-team fold before establishing himself as a regular in the 2021-22 campaign, recording eight goals and four assists in 33 Bundesliga matches.

This season, Rutter has contributed with two goals and two assists in 15 German top-flight games, with Hoffenheim currently sitting 11th in the table, four points above the relegation zone and seven behind the European places.

Rutter is under contract at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena until the summer of 2026, but it is thought that Hoffenheim would be prepared to part ways with the forward if Leeds meet their asking price.

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch celebrates after the match on November 5, 2022 © Reuters

Leeds are also said to have alternatives on their shortlist of attacking targets should they fail in their pursuit of Rutter, with The Athletic claiming that Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Hwang Hee-chan are on their radar.

Meanwhile, the same report claims that Leeds youngster Joe Gelhardt is attracting loan interest from a host of Championship clubs, including Swansea City.

Gelhardt is rated highly by Leeds, but has struggled for regular first-team football so far this season, featuring off the substitutes' bench in 13 of his 16 appearances across all competitions.

The 20-year-old, who has a contract at Leeds until June 2027, may only be allowed to leave Elland Road on a temporary deal if the Whites' permanent move for Rutter is finalised.