Leeds United transfer news: Who is loan signing Joe Rothwell and where does he fit?

George Dempsey
11 July 2024

Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell, who spent last season at Southampton, is set to join Leeds United on loan

Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell is undergoing a medical ahead of a season-long loan move to Leeds United.

The 49ers have been typically tight-lipped this summer with growing unrest among the Whites fanbase at the perceived lack of transfer activity.

Rothwell, 29, made 17 appearances for Championship play-off winners Southampton in the second half of last season.

The central midfielder, capable of playing in a variety of midfield roles, began the 2023-24 season by making 11 Premier League appearances.

It remains to be seen if Rothwell will command a starting spot in Daniel Farke’s side after recording 441 minutes of playing time at St Mary’s.

However, the German was painfully short of options to affect the game last season, particularly in midfield with Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu deployed out of position.

Rothwell has been described as a physical player yet a talented ball carrier, capable of mixing it up and moving his side up the pitch with dynamic runs. He also looks capable of slotting into a possession-based side.

Farke likes his sides to mix up their attacks, with powerful runners and individual talent just as important as building possession.

He also displayed good passing ability in the final third during the 2021/2022 season as he recorded 10 assists for Blackburn across 41 Championship appearances.

And even though he registered a goal every 100 minutes for the Saints last term, his preference for keeping the ball suggests he’ll be competition for Glen Kamara as a number eight.

Leeds fans will be hopeful that Rothwell is just the first arrival of a busy summer with their opening fixture against Portsmouth just four weeks away.