Leeds close to finalising club-record deal for Hoffenheim striker

Leeds United are close to finalising a deal for Hoffenheim forward Georgino Rutter, 90min understands.

The Whites are locked in talks with the Bundesliga side and are set to pay a club-record fee in order to land the France Under-21 international.

Rutter joined Hoffenheim in 2021 for £500,000 from Rennes, and they are set to make a huge profit with Leeds preparing to pay around £30m to get the deal done.

Sources have confirmed that Rutter’s personal terms are all but agreed, and Hoffenheim did not risk him in their winter break friendly with Wolfsburg this weekend.

Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen admitted over the weekend that they had little choice but to rest him, implying that a transfer was on the horizon.

“Ultimately we have to decide what is best for TSG Hoffenheim under the given circumstances,” said Rosen.

“It is also important to include the thoughts of Georginio and those around him, because after all we are not talking about a piece of furniture here, but about the future of a young person.”

Leeds, who have already brought in Austrian defender Max Wober this month, are backing manager Jesse Marsch as they battle against being dragged deep into another Premier League relegation battle.