LEEDS are reportedly close to making Hoffenheim star Georginio Rutter their second January signing.
Jesse March’s side secured the signing of Max Wober from RB Salzburg earlier this week.
Leeds are closing on a £26m deal for Georginio RutterGetty
And the club have wasted no time in strengthening the squad further with a deal for Rutter close.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are in advanced negotiations with Hoffenheim over the forward.
The two clubs are set for more talks in the coming days with the fee believed to be in the region of £26million.
Rutter, 20, has agreed personal terms with Leeds and a transfer could be concluded shortly.
The striker was left out of Hoffenheim’s matchday squad to face Servette.
And the club released a statement confirming interest from a Premier League side.
It read: “For the time being, Georginio Rutter will not take part at all in training or in the friendly match against Servette. Since yesterday, there have been rumours circulating of a move to the Premier League for the Frenchman.”
Hoffenheim’s sporting director Alexander Rosen added: “Georgi has been confronted with a major issue, that is taking a lot of his energy.
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“He is a young man and it is therefore understandable that he is preoccupied by the current situation.
“From our side, it is a case of dealing with a young man in a responsible manner and for that reason, we have decided that he should not participate in full training with the first team right now.”
The Frenchman has scored 11 goals in 64 games for Hoffenheim, including two in 15 league games this season.