Leeds agree deal to sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim - The Athletic 12/1/23
By Phil Hay
Leeds United target Georginio Rutter is set to fly to
England for a medical after the Elland Road club reached a deal to sign the
Hoffenheim striker.
Rutter is set to travel from Germany ahead of the weekend to
finalise his move from the Bundesliga.
Leeds and Hoffenheim spent the early part of this week
locked in discussions about a fee for Rutter after the Premier League side
firmed up initial interest in him.
United are expected to pay between £25million and £30million
as an initial fee for the 20-year-old, as part of a total package which could
rise towards £35million ($42.6m) with add-ons and incentives.
Rutter was the club’s number one forward target in this
window and his addition will go close to breaking the transfer record at Elland
Road.
He has been with Hoffenheim for two years after a £500,000
switch from Rennes in 2021.
His form in Germany has significantly transformed his value
and put him on the radar of numerous European sides while drafting him into
France’s Under-21 squad.
The signing will come too late for Rutter to feature in
Leeds’ Premier League game at Aston Villa tomorrow night, reducing the pressure
on the club to rush the deal through.
It should be sealed, however, in time for a possible debut
at home to Brentford next weekend.
