Six of the eight players that used Victor Orta’s loan relegation clause in the summer of 2023 have since left Leeds United, or returned on a permanent basis at Elland Road.
Brenden Aaronson is back at Leeds and thriving under Daniel Farke, while Max Wober has also returned to Leeds. However, the Austrian is not finding it as profitable as he struggles with calf and knee injuries.
Daniel Farke confirmed Wober is undergoing surgery on Tuesday, and is one of five players to miss the trip to Norwich. Four of Orta’s eight-strong loan army though, have left the club on a permanent basis.
Luis Sinisterra has gone to Bournemouth and Robin Koch joined Frankfurt on a free transfer, deals that were confirmed during the 2023-24 season. Diego Llorente and Marc Roca have both joined Real Betis.
Two though, are out on loan. Jack Harrison and Rasmus Kristensen went on loan for a second successive season, with the duo boasting a clause in their contracts that remained active in the summer just gone.
Rasmus Kristensen deemed ‘very reliable’ by German media
Not something you might agree with. Harrison has endured a difficult start in his second loan at Everton, albeit laying on the assist for Everton’s winner on the weekend in a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
But for Kristensen, it is a season of redemption. He struggled at Roma, a rotational option dropped from the Europa League squad soon after arriving. But at Koch’s Frankfurt, Kristensen seems to be thriving.
After a goal and an assist in the Europa League last Thursday, Kristensen helped Frankfurt beat Kiel 4-2 on Sunday. The Frankfurter Rundschau gave their verdict on Kristensen’s display, under the title “Good”.
“Kristensen provided an outstanding ball reception on the touchline and played a wonderful pass to [Omar] Marmoush, who missed a lob shortly before the half-time whistle,” it was reported by FR.
“Marmoush did better before the 4-2 goal, and Kristensen again served him perfectly. Very reliable at the back too, except for the goal that made it 2-2, when he was unlucky,” the verdict continued on Tuesday.
Will Kristensen join Frankfurt on a permanent basis from Leeds?
Kristensen officially joined Frankfurt as one of five players loaned out by Leeds in the summer, with a permanent clause. Harrison, Sonny Perkins, Darko Gyabi and Sam Greenwood have also left on loan.
Rasmus Kristensen’s Frankfurt stats so far after six appearances:
- 16/25 tackles successful, dribbled past nine times
- One goal, one assist, five key passes
- Six interceptions, 12 blocks
- 5/10 successful dribbles
- 10/15 aerial duels successful
- 274/330 passes successful including long balls
It was reported in the summer that Kristensen has joined Frankfurt with a permanent £15m clause. But, newer reports say that Frankfurt are hoping to reduce Kristensen’s figure to slightly less than £11m.
But given the start he has made at Frankfurt and that Leeds will be desperate to get rid of a player that has no future at Elland Road, you would expect the two parties to come to an agreement in due course.
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