Exclusive: Leeds Push to Sign Bournemouth’s Joe Rothwell After Promotion-Winning Loan Spell

Leeds United want to sign Bournemouth midfielder Joe Rothwell ahead of their return to the Premier League next season, SportsBoom can reveal.

Midfielder Rothwell impressed on a successful loan spell at Elland Road last term as the Yorkshire club won promotion back to the top-flight after two seasons in the Championship.

And even though Rothwell has a year left on his Cherries’ contract, the Whites are confident a deal can be struck with their Premier League rivals.

Rothwell, was a pivotal player as Leeds pipped rivals Burnley to the Championship title on the last day of the season.

He featured 39 times for the club last season and was booked just twice in an almost flawless campaign which helped secure him the first promotion of his career.

Rothwell previously reached the Championship play-offs with former club Southampton and was also an EFL Trophy runner-up with Oxford United, where he enjoyed success in League One.

But last season with Leeds was his best to date as the 30-year-old established himself as a regular in manager Daniel Farke’s all-conquering second tier side.

And next season SportsBoom has been told that Rothwell would love nothing better than to sign a permanent contract with Leeds as they embark on another Premier League campaign.

“Joe loved his time at Leeds last season, it was the best season of his career,” a source told SportsBoom.

MAN UTD BEGINNINGS

Manchester-born Rothwell started his career with Manchester United but was sent out on loan to Blackpool and Barnsley before a move to Oxford.

A four-year spell with Blackburn Rovers followed in the Championship before a first taste of Premier League football came calling in the 2018-19 season when he joined Bournemouth on a four-year deal on a free transfer.

But he found playing time limited with the Cherries, playing just 31 games across two seasons, before a loan move to Southampton and latterly Leeds.

Rothwell represented England at Under-16 level all the way to the Under-21 age-group and is now hoping he can enjoy another full season in the Premier League.