German club set to haggle with Leeds United over price in transfer agreement | OneFootball

Rasmus Kristensen is wanted on a permanent basis by the Europa League & Bundesliga outfit

German club Eintracht Frankfurt are looking to solidify the services of Danish international Rasmus Kristensen by activating an option-to-buy clause with Leeds United.

The former Ajax and Red Bull Salzburg right back joined the Whites back in 2022, where he is still contracted, though the right back has yet to feature for the club since their relegation from the Premier League.

After a year-long loan spell at Roma, he moved (again temporarily) to Eintracht Frankfurt, but this time with a purchase option. Kristensen has hit the ground running for the Hesse club, where he has become an immediate fan favourite, and rumours are that this clause may already be certain to be activated.

Frankfurt have previously completed these kinds of deals with Daniel Farke's side, as in January of this year, Robin Koch made his own loan move permanent.

Windfall for Leeds United

Clearly not interested in playing Championship football, Rasmus is surplus to requirements at Elland Road, so Leeds will likely be looking to sell ASAP following their failure to secure promotion last campaign.

According to German site fussball.news, "Eintracht has a purchase option that is estimated at around €13 million, however, Frankfurt would like to renegotiate with Leeds United. Kristensen's contract only runs until 2026 and Eintracht would like to reduce the price a little.

As it is now abundantly obvious that the move suits all parties, we begin a game of transfer chicken.

If Frankfurt do decide to haggle the figure and wait until the loan period ends, they may risk losing their man to a higher bidder, especially if the Dane continues to perform as he has been.

There is also the possibility of Leeds securing promotion this campaign. Clearly enamored by the prospect of Premier League football, were Rasmus still be contracted to Leeds come May, he may be convinced to stick around.

Cutting losses

Interestingly, €13 million is the exact fee reported for his purchase from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago. Leeds fought off a number of fellow suitors as an impressive Champions League campaign saw him help the Austrian club reach the knockout stages for the very first time.

Despite Kristensen's immense talent, given the circumstances, Leeds United would consider themselves lucky not to make a loss on the ex-Midtjylland man.

With just 30 appearances for the West Yorkshire club in three seasons, their most expensive right-back has been an on-pitch failure, but could well prove to be an inconsequential expenditure after all.

The Championship and it's usual parachute payment paid parties are beginning to exhibit a growing trend of loanee's in limbo, players that consider themselves 'too good' for England's second tier, but are happy to take a temporary year abroad in hopes that their parent club bounces back without their help.

While it isn't necessarily in the spirit of things, annoyingly, it does make good business sense for all concerned, so this convention may be here to stay.