leedsunited.news

What Andoni Iraola previously said about Joe Rothwell could prove very worrying for Leeds United - opinion

Joe Rothwell is going from strength to strength with Leeds United this season. But where he’ll be playing his football next season remains very unclear.

Joe Rothwell, 29, joined Leeds United on loan from Bournemouth during the summer transfer window, having since featured in all 19 of the Whites’ Championship games.

He’s yet to score but has two assists to his name, with one coming in Leeds United’s 2-0 win over Derby County last time out.

Former Manchester United youngster Rothwell has impressed Leeds United fans in recent weeks, having now started the last 12 games for Daniel Farke’s side.

With Rothwell impressing, Leeds United may inevitably be in the race to sign him on permanent deal next summer, especially with his Bournemouth future looking somewhat uncertain right now.

He’s under contract until the summer of 2026. But Rothwell hasn’t played a league game for Bournemouth since the first half of last season, spending time with Southampton in the second half of the last campaign.

Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Brentford FC at Vitality Stadium ...

Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Andoni Iraola may have already dropped huge hint on Joe Rothwell’s Bournemouth future

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was previously linked with Leeds United. Right now though, he’s doing a sterling job with the Cherries who currently sit in 8th place of the Premier League table.

And Iraola is a big fan of Rothwell’s. In January this year, after Rothwell joined Southampton on loan, Iraola spoke positively of the Englishman, insisting that he could still have a future at Bournemouth.

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES

Iraola previously told Daily Echo when asked if Rothwell has a future at the club: “Yes, I think so.

“In the end they [Rothwell and Bournemouth teammate Hamed Traore] are good players, they have already shown it in different places and I think it is always strong competition to be part of the team.

“Especially the last months where the team has been performing quite well and it has been tough for them to have the minutes they wanted. But I think there is no doubt they are both very good players.”

Despite Rothwell having been well out of Iraola’s first-team plans throughout 2024, the Cherries boss clearly has a lot of time for him, and Rothwell impressing at Elland Road certainly suggests he could eventually return to Bournemouth and play a role for them.

Joe Rothwell of Leeds United celebrates after Pascal Struijk of Leeds United scores his team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match bet...

Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Leeds United told they can sign Joe Rothwell on one condition

Speaking to Leeds United News earlier in the season, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed the one condition for Leeds United to sign Rothwell permanently in 2025.

Bailey explained: “It would depend on Leeds’ ambition when they get promoted. A very good squad player, he can play a plethora of positions as well. He’d be one they would like to keep, but they’d need to get promoted.”

As things stand, the Whites sit in 2nd place of the Championship table and go up against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, whilst leaders Sheffield United travel to Millwall on Wednesday.

For information on how to watch Leeds United against Middlesbrough, click here.

Related Posts

Read full news in source page