Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly set to sign Rasmus Kristensen on a permanent deal from Leeds United following the conclusion of his loan spell in Germany.
According to SportBILD, Frankfurt have made the decision to purchase the Danish defender, with reports suggesting a deal is likely to be finalised in the summer.
Frankfurt Confident of Completing Deal
Kristensen joined the Bundesliga side on a season-long loan last summer, with a reported £15m purchase clause included in the agreement. However, recent reports indicate that Frankfurt are looking to negotiate a lower fee, potentially securing the full-back for around £6m.
The German club are already planning for next season with Kristensen in mind, further reinforcing their intent to make the move permanent. His presence, alongside Nnamdi Collins, is reportedly influencing the future of young defender Elias Baum, who is weighing up his options after a successful loan spell at Elversberg.
“Kristensen is to be bought from Leeds,” SportBILD stated, adding that Frankfurt are already considering him as part of their defensive setup for next season.
Kristensen’s Journey: From Leeds to Frankfurt
The 26-year-old full-back joined Leeds United from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2022 for a fee of around £10m. He featured regularly in his debut Premier League campaign but was loaned out to AS Roma for the 2023/24 season after Leeds’ relegation to the Championship.
Following his stint in Italy, Kristensen moved to Frankfurt last summer, where he has impressed enough to convince the German club to pursue a permanent deal. His performances in the Bundesliga have made him a key part of their defensive plans moving forward.
Negotiations Ongoing
While Frankfurt are confident of signing Kristensen, the final transfer fee remains uncertain. Leeds initially agreed to a £15m purchase option, but Frankfurt’s preference to lower that figure to around €6m could lead to negotiations between the two clubs.
Regardless of the final fee, it seems increasingly likely that Kristensen’s time at Elland Road will come to an end this summer, with Frankfurt keen to finalise the deal as soon as possible.
Writer’s View
Kristensen’s move to Frankfurt appears to be a logical next step for both player and club. With Leeds focused on their own promotion battle, cashing in on a player no longer in their plans makes financial sense. For Frankfurt, securing a solid defender at a reduced price would be a smart piece of business. It now remains to be seen whether Leeds will accept Frankfurt’s lower offer or hold out for a figure closer to the original purchase clause.
