Farke’s new Rutter: Leeds now showing strong interest in £11m star
Leeds United Eye Reinforcements as Premier League Return Demands Greater Firepower
Leeds United are back where they believe they belong: the Premier League. Having endured the heartbreak of missing out on promotion via the play-offs in 2024, Daniel Farke’s side rebounded in emphatic style, clinching the Championship title in 2025 with a remarkable 100-point haul—a testament to their resilience and quality across the campaign.
That dominant second-tier campaign may give the impression that Leeds are now better equipped to handle the pressures of top-flight football. But is that really the case? While the squad is brimming with energy and hunger, the loss of two talismanic figures—Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville—has raised understandable concerns over whether the current attacking options can fill such sizeable voids.
Rutter and Summerville were central to Leeds’ success last term. The Frenchman delivered a league-best 16 assists, orchestrating attacks with vision and flair, while his Dutch teammate lit up the campaign with 21 goals—making the pair arguably the most dangerous attacking duo in the Championship. Their departures have left an undeniable hole in the final third.
Farke now faces the challenge of rebuilding his offensive arsenal. The club still retains talented individuals like Brenden Aaronson and Daniel James, but question marks linger over their effectiveness in the Premier League. Aaronson, during his previous stint in the top flight, managed just four goal contributions, while James only registered three during his loan spell at Fulham in 2022/23.
That lack of end product may not doom Leeds to failure, but it does underline the need for further reinforcements in the attacking department if they are to avoid becoming yet another yo-yo club. Encouragingly, the Elland Road hierarchy appears aware of the situation and has been actively seeking to bolster the forward line.
Leeds’ Ongoing Forward Hunt: Weah & Honorat in Focus
So far, Leeds have made one notable attacking addition—bringing in Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. The German-born striker, who has represented both Germany and England at youth level, arrives with promise but also with something to prove after an injury-disrupted spell in the Bundesliga.
Beyond that, the club has also made enquiries regarding Juventus’ versatile forward Timothy Weah. The 25-year-old United States international—capable of operating as a winger, wing-back or forward—is reportedly valued at £12 million. However, competition is already heating up for his signature, with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille also in discussions with the Italian club, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Leeds are clearly casting their net far and wide. Another name to emerge as a serious target is Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Franck Honorat. According to Foot Mercato, the Yorkshire side are showing “strong interest” in the 28-year-old Frenchman, who has impressed during his two-year stint in Germany following his move from Ligue 1 side Brest.
However, signing Honorat won’t be straightforward. Leeds are not the only club circling. The likes of Nice, Freiburg, Stade Rennais, and Valencia have all reportedly joined the race for the £11 million-rated attacker, whose contract runs until 2026. Nonetheless, Farke may see in him the ideal player to rejuvenate his forward line.
Could Honorat Be Farke’s New Rutter?
The pursuit of a French attacker from the Bundesliga has a familiar ring to it for Leeds fans. Back in January 2023, the club shattered their transfer record to sign Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for £35.5 million. Despite a quiet start, Rutter blossomed under Farke, becoming one of the Championship’s standout performers with 26 direct goal contributions across 66 games and playing a key creative role in the 2023/24 season before sealing a £40m move to Brighton.
Although Honorat is older—28 compared to Rutter’s 23 when he joined—he brings similar versatility and creative flair. Journalist Santi Aouna recently described him as “one to watch” in the current transfer window, and his numbers certainly back that up.
Since joining Gladbach, Honorat has racked up 22 assists and 10 goals in just 56 appearances. He thrives in multiple roles across the frontline, offering flexibility and tactical intelligence. In the 2023/24 season alone, he produced nine assists and created 19 big chances in 32 games. Injuries limited his appearances the following year, but he still managed seven assists and four goals in just 19 matches—alongside 12 big chances created and an average of 2.7 key passes per game.
For context, during Rutter’s standout Championship campaign, he averaged 1.9 key passes per 90 minutes, indicating that Honorat could potentially offer even more creativity if given a central role.
A Ball Carrier with Playmaking Vision
One of Honorat’s standout attributes is his ability to carry the ball with purpose. He ranked in the top 15% of Bundesliga wingers and attacking midfielders for progressive carries per 90 minutes in 2024/25, highlighting his comfort in possession and threat in transition. While he may not be as prolific a dribbler as Rutter—who ranked in the top 4% for successful take-ons in the Championship—Honorat’s efficiency in the final third, both as a passer and chance creator, cannot be understated.
If Leeds can secure his signature, Farke would be adding a proven performer capable of unlocking defences and linking midfield with attack. With the club needing to replace the productivity of Summerville and Rutter, Honorat could be a cost-effective and ready-made solution.
Verdict: A Signing Worth Pursuing
Leeds’ return to the Premier League is a thrilling prospect for their supporters, but survival will depend on smart recruitment. With limited time left in the transfer window, Farke’s side must act swiftly and decisively. Franck Honorat may not be a headline-grabbing name, but his numbers speak volumes, and his style fits the mold of what this Leeds side desperately needs.
While competition for his signature is fierce, that interest only affirms his quality. If Leeds can beat out their European rivals and bring him to Elland Road, Honorat could be the next unsung hero to thrive under Daniel Farke’s guidance—just as Rutter once did.