Hoffenheim have today confirmed that Georginio Rutter will not partake in team training and will not feature in their friendly against Servette, due to “rumours circulating of a move to the Premier League.”
On Saturday, it emerged that Leeds United had shown an interest in signing Rutter, with a fee between €30m-€40m being discussed. It had even been suggested that the Premier League side have already submitted an opening €30m offer the the French forward, who joined Hoffenheim in 2021 for €750k.
Discussing the situation, Sporting Director Alexander Rosen said: “Georgi has been confronted with a major issue, that is taking a lot of his energy. 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.”
Rutter has featured in each of Hoffenheim’s 15 Bundesliga games this season, starting 11. The Frenchman has scored two and created three in 17 games across all competitions in the current campaign under André Breitenreiter.
Since his move from Rennes in 2021, the French forward, who can operate anywhere across a front three, has scored 11 and created eight in 64 games across all competitions for the Sinsheim club.
Rutter signed a contract extension with Hoffenheim until June 2026, and has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting prospects.
The Frenchman would become the next signing at Leeds United, following the arrival of Maximillian Wöber, as they look to improve on their 25 Premier League goals scored this season.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
