Jesse Marsch moves to solve problem position as Leeds close on transfer record with striker bid made
Rutter #Rutter
Reports in France claim Leeds United have tabled a £26.5m bid for Hoffenheim forward Georginio Rutter who could become the club’s record signing.
The Whites have enjoyed an up-and-down campaign to date, mixing a few superb victories with disappointing losses. They went into the World Cup break with a loss to Tottenham. But that followed encouraging wins over Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Jesse Marsch’s men have yet to win in the league after the resumption of domestic action.
Having lost 3-1 to Manchester City, they drew 0-0 with Newcastle and 2-2 at home to West Ham United. It all adds up to 17 points from as many games played and 14th place in the table.
However, such is the packed nature of the bottom half of the standings, they are very much embroiled in a battle for survival.
The January transfer window offers respite for clubs at the wrong end of the table. And the Elland Road outfit have been linked with a few players.
Coventry striker Viktor Gyokeres is one such player but a move for Rutter is far more advanced, according to reports.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg stated earlier on Saturday that Leeds were looking to complete a ‘massive deal’ for Rutter ‘now’.
And it was suggested that the 20-year-old is very much open to the move.
French outlet L’Equipe have moved things on and are reporting that the West Yorkshire outfit have offered £26.5m for the striker.
That figure is just shy of the record £27m United paid for Spain winger Rodrigo in August 2020.
But with add-ons and the possibility that Leeds may need to up their bid, he could become the club’s record transfer.
Marsch makes statement with Rutter pursuit
Leeds are in their third season back in the Premier League after winning promotion at the end of 2019-2020.
Marcelo Bielsa led them to ninth in their first campaign back in the top flight. But the popular Argentinian was sacked during last season, with Marsch guiding them to safety on the final day of the campaign.
He is now looking to establish the club as a solid top-flight outfit. And they have looked more than capable of doing that at times in 2022-2023.
However, the spectre of relegation still hangs over the Whites and the transfer window could offer salvation.
Rutter bagged eight Bundesliga goals from 13 starts and 33 outings last term. He has found the net just twice this season from 11 league starts but has plenty of potential.
Rodrigo needs help up front
Leeds United have scored 25 goals in the Premier League in 2022-2023. Rodrigo has bagged ten of those, with Crysencio Summerville’s four next on the list.
It is clear that Marsch needs more firepower and appears to have acted swiftly once the window opened.
Clubs tend to reject opening bids and so it is by no means a certainty that Hoffenheim will play ball on the numbers mentioned.
But fans will be excited that things are moving in the right direction and Leeds are doing what they can to improve their position.
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