Leeds United deal for ‘priceless’ midfield star essential as David Prutton raves
Leeds United have an easy decision to make in the summer regarding the permanent future of one of their star men this season.
Daniel Farke’s side are well on course for a Premier League return after two seasons away, sitting three points clear at the top of the Championship with a five-point buffer in the automatic promotion places.
With 11 league games remaining this term, the Whites have the top-flight in their sights, and naturally, that is resulting in a number of players being linked with potential moves to LS11 should Leeds go up.
Leeds, however, will have transfer decisions to make on some of their current players before pursuing new faces, with several loanees and out-of-contract stars’ futures to be sorted out at Elland Road.
David Prutton raves about ‘priceless’ Leeds United loanee
While it remains to be seen if the likes of Sam Byram and Junior Firpo have done enough to earn new contracts at Elland Road, Leeds will be keen to determine the immediate futures of their two loanees.
Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell have both impressed enough to earn permanent transfers, and talking to the Yorkshire Evening Post (5 March), David Prutton couldn’t speak highly enough of the latter.
Prutton said: “Suddenly, you get Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka looking like one of the best midfield partnerships in the division.
| Player | Status | 2024-25 Appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| Junior Firpo | Out of contract | 25 | 22 | 3 | 8 |
| Joe Rothwell | On loan | 35 | 24 | 0 | 4 |
| Manor Solomon | On loan | 30 | 20 | 7 | 8 |
| Josuha Guilavogui | Out of contract | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sam Byram | Out of contract | 30 | 17 | 1 | 1 |
“Joe is a very good player – I’m sure he didn’t come to Leeds to be a bit-part player at all because of his reputation and his ability.
“But his ability to change games, his responsibility on the ball, his ability on the ball and his ability from set pieces – we have all seen that is priceless.”
Joe Rothwell transfer a must after Leeds United displays
While there’s no denying that Leeds need a significant level of investment if they’re to stand a chance of staying in the Premier League – should they get there – there are players capable of making the step up.
Rothwell may have been deemed surplus to requirements by Bournemouth amid their climb up towards the European places, but he’s taken like a duck to water in Farke’s style of football at Elland Road.
Signing Solomon permanently appears to be a no-brainer for Leeds given his own performances out wide this term, but Rothwell could also be a valuable member of a potential Premier League squad.
The Whites’ summer reinforcements will likely see a number nine, 10, full-backs and a new goalkeeper come through the doors at Elland Road, but ensuring Rothwell stays put would also be shrewd business.