Club ‘increasingly certain’ to move for Leeds United man – ‘Small sacrifice’ planned to fund transfer
Rasmus Kristensen, a defender for Leeds United, is “increasingly certain” to join AS Roma next summer after they were sufficiently impressed to trigger his purchase option.
Il Romanista, who report on the player today, claims as much, citing Roma’s growing desire to “make a small sacrifice” in order to permanently secure him.
They go on to say that Kristensen has shown to be a valuable asset for Roma boss Jose Mourinho this season, proving to be correct in the deal and making a name for himself in the squad.
He came off the bench, won a penalty, and scored the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory over Sassuolo, so his recent performance “seems to have been the definitive consecration.”
This has given rise to numerous reports that Roma wants to sign him from Leeds on a permanent basis, but in actuality, the Italian team has a deal in place for a permanent transfer.
The amount they must spend to acquire him ranges from €7 million to €12 million, and it probably depends on the league Leeds will play in the following year. Kristensen’s price would go up in the event that they were promoted back to the Premier League. Alternatively, “they would have to settle for a lower sum” if they don’t.
In any case, it is “increasingly certain” that Roma will purchase Kristensen, and in order to fund that purchase, they will have to sell Zeki Çelik or Rick Karsdorp during the January transfer window.
That will help them acquire the money for the Leeds player, who appears to have persuaded everyone in Rome that he is a player worth investing in long-term.
Furthermore:
Leeds United: Star exit news emerges at Elland Road, top wages need to be paid
If a side wants to sign the youthful striker during the January transfer window, they will have to pay “top wages” for Joe Gelhardt, the outcast from Leeds United, according to journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun.
Under Daniel Farke, the 21-year-old has only made two starts in the league this season. His most recent appearance came in September, when Leeds defeated Millwall 3-0.
Nixon has disclosed that there are a few requirements that must be fulfilled if Liam Rosenior wishes to add Gelhardt to his Hull arsenal, despite reports that Hull City is seeking the forward for a loan deal next month.
“Several Championship clubs are keen but Hull head the list,” Nixon said via his Patreon on Sunday (10 December).
“However, they would have to pay top wages and also offer first-team games.”
A much-needed escape
Since moving from Wigan Athletic to the Whites in August 2018, Gelhardt’s career with the team has been extremely uneven. Even though he has made 26 appearances for Leeds’ U23 team and scored 18 goals, his senior career at Elland Road has not been very successful.
The teenage talent was sent out on loan to Sunderland last season, where he made 20 appearances and scored three goals. Leeds was unwanted during their disastrous Premier League campaign.
Since Gelhardt scored for Sunderland in a 4–4 draw with the Tigers the previous season, Hull are well aware of his abilities.
However, this season, Gelhardt has only made seven appearances, and his lone goal came in the EFL Cup. It’s time for a shift, and Hull are the perfect candidate to help him regain his confidence when shooting.
But a clear line separating Gelhardt from a move out of Leeds is a strong demand for salaries. A club that decides to sign the striker on loan must have high hopes that he would repay them with some significant goals and overall valuable team performance.
