Leeds United will re-enter the Premier League relieved that they won't have to sell a load of their stars like last summer.
Indeed, there was a mass exodus away from West Yorkshire after the Whites' heartbreaking playoff final defeat in the Championship, resulting in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter all upping and leaving for the luxuries of a new top-flight team.
farke-championship-leeds-rutter
These notable departures thankfully didn't derail Daniel Farke's men on their way to lifting the second-tier title. Still, Leeds could be about to finally land an exciting Rutter replacement this summer.
After all, since the Frenchman's farewell, Leeds have had to make do with some lacklustre performers in the number ten role.
Leeds in the race to sign Championship star
Farke won't feel too confident in relying on Brenden Aaronson to come good in the Premier League, considering the American attacker has struggled at the daunting level before, scoring one goal and registering only three assists during the doomed 2022/23 campaign.
Therefore, it's no shock to see Leeds be linked with this entertaining number ten, with The Irish Sun now reporting that the newly promoted side have joined the intense race to snap up Middlesbrough ace Finn Azaz.
AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are also named as interested onlookers, meaning Leeds' quest to win the Irishman's services could be tough.
Finn-Azaz
But, if Farke and Co. are serious about improving their already electric attacking output ahead of Premier League football returning to Elland Road, winning the £20m-rated midfielder's services will be deemed a top priority, particularly if he is capable of being the figure to finally fill Rutter's void.
Why Azaz can finally replace Rutter
It might well be bizarre to say that Leeds still feel a need to replace Rutter, considering the Whites stormed to the second-tier title with 95 goals bagged.
But, whilst Aaronson would chip in with a respectable tally of nine strikes and two assists on the way to promotion being resoundingly won, the 24-year-old blows far too hot and cold compared to the regular brilliance of the ex-Whites number 24.
Rutter, despite promotion falling to the wayside towards the close of the disappointing 2023/24 season, would still manage to collect a mammoth eight goals and 16 assists in league action.
Staggeringly, Azaz would only find himself one short of eclipsing this hefty total this campaign just gone for Michael Carrick's own failed promotion hopefuls.
Finn-Azaz
Azaz's ability to drive forward and carve teams open from the number ten spot for Boro is eerily similar to the much-loved 23-year-old during his Elland Road prime.
The hope will just be that the 6-foot-1 star can make the transition to the Premier League look smooth, but having never been given a fair opportunity at his former employers Aston Villa, he will be chomping at the bit to succeed if he's given the call by Farke's men.
Azaz's league numbers (24/25) vs Rutter's (23/24)
Stat - per 90 mins*
Games played
Goals scored
Assists
Shots*
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Key passes*
Big chances missed
Big chances created
Stats by Sofascore
Looking at the table above, the similarities just keep stacking up, with Farke more prepared to take a risk on his potential new £20m buy in the knowledge that Rutter moved up and acclimatised to his new surroundings swimmingly, with eight goal contributions next to his name from 28 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.
The Boro star is the "whole package" - as he's been labelled by his current boss Carrick - and could well feel he's now outgrown the Championship. Indeed, a sparkling 11 goals and ten assists also came his way in league action during the 2023/24 campaign, alongside nearly matching Rutter at the Riverside Stadium recently.
Therefore, ahead of their Premier League voyage taking off, taking a risk on EFL superstar Azaz to come good might well see the West Yorkshire titans win themselves Rutter 2.0.
Leeds-Piroe-Championship Related
[Orta wanted him: Leeds eyeing move for "very prolific" Piroe upgrade](https://www.footballfancast.com/orta-wanted-him-leeds-eyeing-move-for-kalimuendo-piroe-upgrade/ "Orta wanted him: Leeds eyeing move for "very prolific" Piroe upgrade")
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