It is not often a transfer happens – such as the one Leeds United green-lit this week – which can be described as a genuine ‘win-win’ for all involved.
So the deal which brought an overdue end to the disappointing Elland Road career of Rasmus Kristensen is something of a rarity.
Leeds are happy enough to get rid of Kristensen. The fans certainly are.
And Eintracht Frankfurt are equally delighted to get a permanent deal over the line. Kristensen has been a big hit at the Bundesliga high-flyers, after all.
While their dreams of a second Europa League title in three years went up in smoke thanks to Dominic Solanke’s penalty in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the Leeds United misfit is a major reason why Frankfurt can still secure Champions League football via a top-four finish domestically.
Despite losing star man Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January, Frankfurt are still third. And while Kristensen strikes up a fine understanding with Hugo Ekitike – the £70 million-rated centre-forward filling Marmoush’s boots – The Eagles eventually jumped at the chance to pay the fee required to stop the Denmark international from flying their nest.
Leeds United pull off a ‘great deal’ as Frankfurt buy Rasmus Kristensen
Leeds and Frankfurt initially agreed upon a £12.5 million sum last summer, when Kristensen moved to the Commerzbank Arena outfit on loan with an option-to-buy.
In the end, the deal was struck at £7.7 million.
A financial loss, then, for a Leeds side who invested an eight-figure sum in the former Ajax man when he arrived from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022. But, still, a decent return given that Kristensen had become something of an afterthought at Elland Road.
That £7.7 million windfall – while smaller than Leeds had hoped for at first – can still be put to good use as Daniel Farke looks to construct a side capable of surviving in the Premier League.
“I think if you’re a Championship club, and at the moment Leeds still are, and you can get £7.7 million for a player that hasn’t been a part of your plans and who’s not likely to be part of your plans, then it’s a great deal,” Don Goodman, the former West Brom, Wolves and Sunderland striker, tells Football League World.
“Obviously, his only real appearances for Leeds were in the Premier League. And then when they got relegated, like many, many Leeds players, they had clauses in contracts that allowed them to go out on loan, and he did that.
“[Kristensen] went to Roma, played plenty enough for them and obviously this season at Eintracht Frankfurt he’s playing on a very, very regular basis.
“So, I think it’s a win-win for all parties.”
Kristensen ‘fought hard’ to secure permanent Bundesliga switch
Leeds United sources are reportedly ‘pleased’ with the arrangement. Having sold the likes of Diego Llorente and Marc Roca for very low fees last summer, a near £8 million sum represents good value for a club who appeared to have no interest in welcoming Kristensen back to Elland Road over the summer.
“I’ve felt very comfortable in Frankfurt right from the off, and my family has also settled in very well here,” Kristensen tells the official Frankfurt website. “I fought hard to be able to play for Eintracht for longer and I want to repay the trust placed in me by continuing to perform well.
“I’m really looking forward to the last few games of the season and the future in Frankfurt.”
“In addition to his footballing quality, Rasmus also stands out with his great mentality,” adds board member Markus Krosche. “He has become a very important part of our team and we are delighted that he is staying with Eintracht in the long term.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
