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‘Very advanced’: Fabrizio Romano says Leeds are now close to second January signing, personal terms are agreed
Leeds United are now close to signing French youngster Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim.
Rutter has been a part of Hoffenheim’s first team set-up since arriving from Rennes two years ago.
He’s not the most prolific forward, and has never scored more than eight goals in a league campaign.
However, Jesse Marsch’s side clearly see enough in the young Frenchman to pay a significant fee this month.
Rutter would be the latest young forward to join Leeds, after Wilfried Gnonto joined in the summer.
Gnonto scored a brilliant goal against West Ham a few days ago, and impressed against Newcastle last week.
The likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, Sonny Perkins and Mateo Joseph Fernandez are also all fighting for first-team minutes.
Joseph is now a full-time member of the first-team squad, although the arrival of Rutter could further limit his opportunities.
Leeds close to signing Rutter
“Negotiations between Leeds United and Hoffenheim for Georginio Rutter are now very advanced.
“Fee discussed around €30m, personal terms already agreed.
“Talks will continue in the next hours/days to make him Leeds’ second signing after Wober.”
As Romano says, Rutter would be Leeds’ second winter signing after defender Maximilian Wober.
Leeds are acting faster this month than any of their relegation rivals, which could end up making all the difference.
that Rutter sat out a training match in Portugal amid ongoing negotiations.
Not many clubs will have more than £25m available to throw at a single player, and the pressure will be on Rutter to succeed.
He fits the Leeds mould by being a fantastically hard-working forward.
Rutter is also a sensational dribbler, and tends to play on the right-wing if not being used as a central striker.
Marsch appears to highly value forwards who can fill a variety of roles across the top of the pitch.
With Leeds now close to signing Rutter, it will be interesting to see if any of the Whites other young strikers are now allowed to go on loan.
The last thing Marsch will want is their development being scuppered by failing to play enough minutes.