Rutter 2.0: Leeds battling to sign “exceptional” talent in January
Leeds United made several significant signings in the summer of 2025, which are already beginning to have an impact at the club. One of the most successful thus far has been left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Swede, who cost £10m, was described as “an absolute bargain” and called one of the best players in the league in his position by journalist James Marshment.
Another player who has stood out at the other end of the pitch is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The former Everton star, who joined the club for free, has been in sensational form, with seven goals in 15 games this term, and six in his last five.
Leeds are looking to add another smart signing to the squad next month.
Leeds’ latest bargain transfer target
There are already rumours swirling ahead of a crucial winter window for Leeds. One player who is linked with a move to Elland Road is Swiss winger Ruben Vargas, an attacker who could cost upwards of £9m.
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Rumours are also intensifying regarding a potential move for French defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu. According to German outlet Fussball Transfers, the Whites are ‘interested’ in the RB Leipzig star, who is reportedly looking to force through a move away.
However, the West Yorkshire outfit are not alone in making a potential move for Bitshiabu this winter. Fellow relegation candidates West Ham United are also plotting a move for the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate.
It remains to be seen if this will be a loan or permanent deal, having signed for his current side on a £13m deal back in 2023.
Why Bitshiabu would be a good signing
It has certainly not been the season that the 20-year-old defender might have expected. He has struggled to lock down a place in the Leipzig side, something which has perhaps been further impacted by the lack of European football for the German club this season.
This term, the defender, who hails from a suburb of Paris, has only played five times for Leipzig. Just three of those appearances have come in the Bundesliga; he has only played 111 minutes in the German top flight.
His minutes in a Leipzig shirt have been sparse, though Bitshiadu has struggled with injury during his time at the Bundesliga outfit. He has played 39 games in total, but a run of games as first-choice last season showed why he is so highly rated.
In fact, his numbers from last season show the quality he can bring to Daniel Farke’s side. The former PSG star averaged 1.99 blocks per 90 minutes, which ranked him in the top 3% of Bundesliga centre-backs.
On the ball, he’s impressive too, and averaged 5.5 progressive passes each game, which puts him among the top 12% of defenders in the German top flight.
Bitshiabu key stats 24/25 Bundesliga
Stat (per 90)
Number
Percentile
Progressive passes
5.5
88th
Blocks
1.99
97th
Clearances
7.73
96th
Tackles won
1.43
86th
Stats from FBref
If Leeds do get this deal over the line, it might be reminiscent of a signing they made a few years back, of Georginio Rutter.
Now plying his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion, the attacker enjoyed a successful stint at Elland Road.
After joining in January 2023, the 23-year old notched up 66 appearances in that famous White shirt.
In that time, he scored and assisted 26 goals, with 21 of those coming in the 2023/24 Championship campaign. The summer after, he was signed by Brighton.
Of course, the similarity does not come from the position, with Bitshiabu a centre-back and Rutter an attacker.
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But, both players are highly-rated French talents, and will have moved to West Yorkshire from the Bundesliga in the winter transfer window. Those things, they have in common.
Rutter’s impact at Leeds was exceptional, and although he couldn’t quite get them over the line with promotion, he was a mey man for Farke.
How the Whites would love for their potential new centre-back to be the second coming of his countryman, and really have a huge impact for the club and help them stay in the Premier League.
He is an “exceptional” talent according to football scout Antonio Mango. Farke would love for that to be on show at Elland Road, as a huge second half of the season approaches for Leeds.
Better than Calvert-Lewin: Leeds star is now "one of the best" in the PL
Leeds United now have a top-drawer performer in their ranks, who is arguably an even better signing than Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
ByKelan Sarson