49ers ‘to brutally axe Joe Rothwell’ after £25m Leeds United offer
Joe Rothwell repaid Daniel Farke’s faith when Leeds United needed him most, lifting the Championship title at Elland Road.
The 30-year-old joined the Whites on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last summer and will return to the Cherries soon.
Fans will want to see Rothwell’s continuity at Elland Road next season, but it remains to be seen whether the West Yorkshire outfit will sign him on a permanent transfer.
When Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev were injured, the Englishman stepped up and played a pivotal role for the Peacocks in their push for silverware, but he may be brutally axed from the 49ers Enterprises’ transfer plans.
Leeds United to forget about Rothwell after James McAtee transfer
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is attracting interest from the Whites ahead of the upcoming transfer window, according to The Sunday Mirror.
The news outlet reports in its print edition (11 May, page 64) that the West Yorkshire outfit are interested in the 22-year-old.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 27 | 7 | 0 |
It’s been claimed that the Peacocks might have to offer £25million to complete a deal for the England Under-21 international, who has a little over a year left on his contract.
If the 49ers do make a significant outlay on McAtee, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them abandon the thought of signing Rothwell again, which would arguably be cruel after what he’s done at Elland Road.
Rothwell deserves Elland Road stay
Farke has relied on Rothwell this season, and a deal could be made permanent for around £7.5m next summer.
The 30-year-old’s signing would make sense, considering the Whites seem to need more depth in the middle of the park.
With the West Yorkshire outfit forced to sign Josuha Guilavogui in October 2024 after multiple fitness issues in the engine room, they can’t afford to make the same mistakes in the Premier League.
It’s hard to see the 49ers spend massive funds on Rothwell at Leeds, though, as several positions need strengthening in the upcoming transfer window.
The Whites will arguably want to add players with top-flight pedigree to their squad next summer, something the Englishman hasn’t managed.
The midfielder is in his 30s, so if the West Yorkshire outfit signs him, his resale value will be low.
A £25m offer for McAtte would undoubtedly close the door on Rothwell’s return, unless a bargain deal with Bournemouth can be struck.
What the future holds for the veteran remains to be seen.