Rasmus Kristensen is expected to complete a permanent move to Eintracht Frankfurt from Leeds United in due course and on Sunday afternoon, he helped his side steal a point against Bayern Munich.
The 27-year-old Denmark star was one of two players from Victor Orta’s loan army that could reignite the relegation clause this time around. It saw him choose to join Robin Koch’s Frankfurt until next summer.
Jack Harrison has now gone eight months without a goal at Everton and he was the other, able to reignite the clause that meant Leeds could do nothing but arrange a loan for the two players back in the summer.
While Harrison is struggling, Kristensen is resurrecting his career. A poor loan at AS Roma last season saw Kristensen’s career hanging in the balance, the right-back struggling to be picked for his National side.
But a move to Frankfurt has paid dividends. The defender has played all nine games for so far, linking up well with Koch on the right of Frankfurt’s defence. Kristensen even scored in the Europa League last week.
German media criticise Kristensen despite brave Bayern display
On Sunday, Kristensen faced his biggest test so far against Bayern. A side boasting the likes of Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise, Leroy Sane and Alphonso Davies and the latter made Kristensen work.
Despite that, Frankfurt secured a late draw against Vincent Kompany’s side. A 3-3 draw largely thanks to the performance of in-form striker Omar Marmoush, who scored twice for Kristensen and Koch’s side.
German outlet Frankfurter Rundschau summed up Kristensen’s display on Tuesday, placing the defender under the title of “so-so”. They say he worked “tirelessly”, but could not cope with Davies or Gnabry.
“Had a hard time with the very well-disposed Serge Gnabry. Alphonso Davies too, two very fast players. Often runner-up, had to bring all his experience into play. Didn’t always succeed, but he was tireless.”
Kristensen won’t be on the books at Leeds much longer
Even if Kristensen had his work cut out on Sunday, Frankfurt are delighted with their on-loan right-back. So much, that Frankfurt have decided to activate Kristensen’s permanent clause and sign him already.
It is a deal that sees Leeds claim between £8.4m and £10m, a solid fee given his year at Roma. Marc Roca and Diego Llorente went to Real Betis for peanuts and it might have been the same with Kristensen.
But a permanent fee was included in the loan that was similar to the amount of cash it took to lure the defender to Elland Road in the first place, and his form has meant that price seems cheap to Frankfurt.
A move that suits all parties. Florian Plettenberg’s update is good news for those at Leeds, for the player himself and Frankfurt are seemingly willing to pay the required amount. A no-brainer for all three.
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