Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter is close to completing a move to Leeds United as the Whites continue to spend this month.
That’s according to Suddeutsche Zeitung, who say the player will become the latest of example of how German clubs ‘lack arguments’ when Premier League sides move for their players.
They explain that Rutter had been generating interest in this market thanks to his performances for Hoffenheim, with club manager Alexander Rosen even admitted there was “tremendous interest” in him.
The ‘best arguments’ seem to be offered by Leeds United, who have moved to secure his signature ahead of the competition.
A deal to take the forward to Elland Road ‘could be completed shortly’, with TSG expecting to receive a fee between €35-40m for their man.
That will represent a huge profit for Hoffenheim, who paid less than €1m to sign the player from Stade Rennais.
The deal is seen as a ‘routine trade’ for Leeds, but that doesn’t make things better for the Bundesliga or Hoffenheim, who know that the move is a loss.
They had little chance of convincing Rutter to stay in Germany as the Premier League is the ‘sporting centre’ of the football world and even those lower down the table ‘pay better’.
That’s been the case with Rutter, who is reportedly set to sign a five-year deal that will secure him at least €20m. He also sees Leeds as ‘suitable as a springboard’ after watching Raphinha and Kalvin Phillip join Barcelona and Manchester City respectively last summer.
