Leeds United are close to signing Hoffenheim striker Georginio Rutter in a club-record deal, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Rutter’s career stats

Rutter is 20 years of age and has 69 games of first-team experience under his belt. The French forward has scored 12 senior goals during his career to date, two of which have come during the current campaign.

He’s been hailed as a player who can turn out ‘in a variety of forward roles’ by former Hoffenheim manager Sebastian Hoeness, and it looks as if a move to Elland Road for the youngster, who can play in all three forward positions as well as a no 10, is on the cards.

The Latest: Sky Sports update

Sky Sports shared a story late on Monday evening regarding Leeds and Rutter.

They claimed that a record £35.3m transfer is close, with the player set to have a medical with the Whites in the next 48 hours.

The Verdict: Big gamble

You could say that Rutter is still unproven at first-team level, unlike the club’s first January signing, Max Wober, who has plenty of experience for club and country. Therefore, it's easy to argue that smashing the club’s transfer record for his services is a big gamble.

Rutter is only a few months older than Joe Gelhardt, who could be allowed to leave on loan this month, so hopefully, he can hit the ground running in Yorkshire, providing fierce competition to top scorer Rodrigo.