Rival Championship manager helped Leeds United sign Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth after secret chat

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Back in the summer, Leeds United were tasked with rectifying a mini firesale that even Daniel Farke did not foresee as four key players were sold by The 49ers.

Angus Kinnear and The 49ers knew that Leeds needed to sell a couple of big names and they did, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville leaving for London. Glen Kamara and Georginio Rutter then followed.

Not only had Leeds lost four key components of the 2023-24 squad, but they had also chose not to sign their two on-loan players in Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony who are currently combining at Burnley.

Leeds had to make signings and one player they brought in earned mixed reviews. Joe Rothwell joined on a season-long loan and of course, Rothwell has proved everyone wrong according to Daniel Farke.

• READ MORE: Leeds United are one of three English clubs trying to sign Jose Mourinho’s right-back

Leeds spoke to Tony Mowbray before signing Joe Rothwell

Mowbray was in the Elland Road dugout on Saturday as his West Brom side drew with Rothwell’s Leeds, with the latter returning to the starting line-up to take on The Baggies and indeed, his old manager.

Mowbray signed Rothwell from Oxford United a year into his five-year spell as Blackburn boss in 2018, and the duo left together in the summer of 2022. He played all 161 games for Rovers under Mowbray.

Graham Smyth on the Inside Elland Road podcast that Mowbray had actually been to Elland Road before this season, and said Leeds had sounded out Mowbray before striking a deal to lure Rothwell to Leeds.

“He’s great is Mowbray, really worth listening to. Obviously very fond of Leeds and Elland Road, he was at the club as a guest earlier in the season and they almost certainly sounded him out about Joe Rothwell.”

Ao Tanaka aside, Joe Rothwell may be Leeds best 24-25 signing

If picking Leeds’ best bit of business during the 2024-25 season, there is no doubt that landing Tanaka for just £3.4m is the club’s best move. A bargain that might go down as one of the club’s best-ever deals.

But had it not been for Tanaka, the signing of Rothwell might be Daniel Farke’s best addition. Playing 32 times for Leeds and laying on four assists, the stats say Rothwell is the Championship’s 34th best player.

Eighth-best for Leeds, so far. Whether Leeds are promoted or not, The 49ers really need to sanction a permanent move for the long-haired midfielder with Bournemouth expecting around £7.5m for him.