$39 Million Deal Is A Win-Win Situation

Once complete, it would be a mega deal for Hoffenheim. According to Transfermarkt, the Bundesliga side is set to sell French forward Georginio Rutter for around €37 million ($39 million) to Premier League side Leeds United.

The report further suggests that the entire package could break Leeds’ record deal for Brenden Aaronson. The American joined the Premier League side in a deal worth around $35 million last summer. Hoffenheim, in the meantime, has a track record of selling strikers to the Premier League. The club has previously transferred Joelinton to Newcastle and Roberto Firmino to Liverpool.

Rutter’s imminent departure would also explain why Hoffenheim has recently signed Danish striker Kasper Dolberg on loan from OGC Nice. Although the two would have been more than compatible in André Breitenreiter’s tactical system, Hoffenheim already had six players under contract that could man the two-man attack that the head coach prefers.

The transfer also makes sense for Leeds United only at a second glance. Only 14th in the Premier League standings, Leeds has struggled under American head coach Jesse Marsch this season. But goals have not exactly been an issue.

In fact, the 25 goals scored this season is the second most of any side in the bottom ten of the Premier League standings—on Leicester has scored more (26). Plus, in Wilfried Gnonto and Rodrigo Leeds has two players under contract with a similar profile. Both also scored in Leeds’ 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Wednesday.

But while Rodrigo is already an experienced EPL forward with 10 goals this season, Gnonto is only 19 and has strugged for game time. Signed from FC Zürich this summer, the goal against West Ham was the Italian forwards first goal in just six games for Leeds.

With that in mind, it makes sense that Leeds is looking to add more depth in the attack. The question, however, remains, can Rutter add that necessary depth? The 20-year-old French forward is extremely talented, fast and has an enormous shot from distance. But Rutter has also managed just two goals and two assists in 15 Bundesliga games this season.

There are certain key elements that Rutter can offer that have become important to Marsch’s style of player, whether it was with the New York Red Bulls, Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. First and foremost, Rutter provides chaos and loves one-v-one situations. According to Wyscout, the Frenchman attempted 10.37 dribbles per 90 minutes this season, significantly more that Gnonto (6.09) and Rodrigo (1.89).

Rutter is also more proactive in the attack than his potential new teammates. The 20-year-old successfully completed 7.01 attacking actions per 90 minutes this season, again more than Gnonto (5.03) and Rodrigo (2.78). The big question mark, however, remains goals, Rutter has scored just twice for Hoffenheim this season, the same amount than Gnonto, who had significantly less playing time.

The lack of productivity in the Bundesliga should, in fact, be a significant concern. But it could also be a driving force behind the transfer. Despite the fee paid, the move from Hoffenheim to Leeds is, at best, a parallel move for Rutter and could even be described as a small step down.

Nonetheless, this is a win-win-win situation. Leeds will add more depth to their attack, signing a player with potentially big upside. Hoffenheim once again earns a significant fee without losing a key player, and Rutter could benefit in a new environment under an attacking-minded head coach.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth