Joe Rothwell is a player that Leeds United have not had for a long time. A player that can drive with the ball from deep in midfield but more importantly, a set-piece specialist.
While the on-loan ace did not score for Leeds during the 2024-25 season, the Bournemouth star supplied some crucial assists along the way. His two assists for Pascal Struijk against Sunderland were pivotal.
But Rothwell faces an uncertain future, once again. Having returned to Bournemouth last summer after a loan at Southampton, he is in the same boat now. Promoted, but still contracted to Bournemouth.
If Leeds are to sign Rothwell – with Bournemouth requesting a £7.5m fee for the 30-year-old – it will be because of two things. His creativity from deep and his set-piece ability, which otherwise Leeds do lack.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesNew reports say Leeds want to sign £15m Liverpool player
Leeds are being touted with a move to sign Liverpool and Greece defender Konstantinos Tsimikas this summer. Junior Firpo is now expected to leave the club for Real Betis when his contract comes to an end.
It is claimed that Liverpool are willing to let the 40-time Greece ace leave, having spent so many years as Andy Robertson’s understudy at Anfield. It has seen Tsimikas play just 65 times in the Premier League.
But Tsimikas has impressed in those 65 games – laying on 10 assists for Liverpool. When the Greek ace does start, he is the one taking corners and free-kicks. Like Rothwell, Tsimikas is a set-piece specialist.
Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty ImagesIf Leeds sign Tsimikas, Rothwell won’t be moving to Elland Road
The concerns regarding a permanent deal for Rothwell are that he is now 30, has had a couple of muscle injuries and lacks Premier League experience. Rothwell is yet to prove if he can cut it at the top level.
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The 49ers and Adam Underwood are clearly targeting Premier League-proven players and Tsimikas is that, Rothwell is not. If Leeds sign a set-piece specialist, the need to sign Rothwell lessens dramatically.
Without being able to offer Leeds that special trait if they already have it in Tsimikas, then the need to go and get a player who lacks Premier League experience is just not there. It ends any hope Rothwell has.