£7.5m wanted for Leeds United loan favourite amid potential summer transfer

Leeds United loan man Joe Rothwell could cost around £7.5m for a permanent deal in the summer, according to TEAMtalk.

Leeds United have had a fine season to date, sitting top of the Championship table after 30 games. LUFC are in action against Coventry City tonight as two in-form sides clash.

Daniel Farke has plenty of players available and competition for places in midfield is strong. Joe Rothwell has locked down a spot in the absence of Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu and even with both back, he’s kept his place.

The AFC Bournemouth man has impressed on loan, and questions are being asked regarding a potential permanent deal for the 30-year-old.

Now, according to TEAMtalk, it could cost Leeds United around £7.5m to prise Rothwell away from parent club Bournemouth permanently in the summer.

The midfielder will likely be down the pecking order under Andoni Iraola once he returns at the end of the summer and his deal expires at the end of next season. However, it will seemingly still take a decent fee to prise him away from the Cherries.

Rothwell has played 30 times across all competitions this season, chipping in with two assists along the way for LUFC.

Obstacles to overcome

While a move away from Bournemouth seems feasible for Rothwell and there is growing clamour for him to stay at Leeds United, there are obstacles to a deal.

For starters, £7.5m isn’t a particularly cheap fee to pay for the midfielder. He earns around £30,000-a-week currently too, something the Whites may hesitate to pay if they fail to win promotion again.

Rothwell’s family is currently based in Dorset, and they have remained there while the midfielder is up in Yorkshire. They would have to relocate for a permanent Elland Road switch, something with may not appeal to all.

The current focus

A permanent deal for Rothwell may well come further under the microscope in the coming months but for now, both he and Leeds United will be laser-focused on on-pitch matters.

Rothwell is facing an increased fight to keep his spot. If he keeps playing as he is, Daniel Farke will be hesitant to drop him, even with Ampadu and Gruev back in contention.

All eyes are on Wednesday night’s big test against Coventry City, with another three points targeted. Afterwards, the focus switches to the FA Cup with Championship rivals Millwall making the trip up to Elland Road.