"Struggled in the Premier League" - Pundit urges Leeds United to avoid £7.5m summer transfer deal | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer gave his take on whether Joe Rothwell is worth signing for Leeds United.

Joe Rothwell was arguably one of the smartest pick-ups of the summer window from Leeds United as they added the midfielder and his Championship experience on loan from AFC Bournemouth.

While he may not have started every game, when the Whites had something of an injury crisis, the 30-year-old stepped-up and formed a strong partnership with Ao Tanaka.

However, since he is on loan, it raises the question of whether he has a long-term future at the club, especially with the Whites potentially playing in the Premier League next season.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, if Daniel Farke's side wish to make his move permanent, they will need to pay around the £7.5 million and offer him a £30,000-a-week wage package - figures they were unwilling to meet in the Championship.

In addition, Rothwell would have to relocate his family back to the north of England from Dorset, and this has to be a key consideration when approaching the latter stages of your career.

Only time will tell if the player and club find a deal viable, but for now, his primary focus will be on securing promotion, with the Whites well-positioned at the top of the Championship.

Carlton Palmer urges Leeds United to avoid Joe Rothwell deal

To get an outside point of view on Rothwell's future, Football League World exclusively spoke to former Leeds midfielder, Carlton Palmer, who revealed that a move for the former Blackburn Rovers player would prove pointless.

"Joe Rothwell has been a mainstay for Leeds United, playing in 23 Championship games, and it is expected that the 30-year-old will cost around £7.5 million and £30,000 in wages," said Palmer.

"If Leeds United are promoted, is he worth signing for that amount of money? No, not in my opinion.

"If you look at his record, that is why he has been loaned out. Previously, he was on loan at Southampton and, this season, at Leeds United. He has very little Premier League experience. He played 20 games in 2022–23 and 11 in 2023–24 for Bournemouth.

"I think they need a bit better quality. He is a proven Championship player at Blackburn Rovers, and he consistently played over 30 games in the Championship a season. He's a very good Championship player but just a bit short of quality in the Premier League.

"Leeds United have got to get back to the Premier League, and Joe Rothwell is assisting them in doing that. That is a good bit of business to help them go up. I don't know if they had an obligation to buy in the deal, but for me, £7.5 million and £30,000 in wages for a player who has struggled in the Premier League doesn't work.

"But Leeds need to get back at the second attempt, and Joe Rothwell has been instrumental in that."

Joe Rothwell needs to look away from Elland Road in 2025-26

As alluded to by Palmer, while his ability in the second tier can never be questioned, he hasn't done enough in the top division of English football to warrant a £7.5 million move.

At 30 years of age, it is unlikely that Rothwell will adapt, and finding a new club in the second tier would be his best option.

Of course, few clubs will be willing to pay that fee to sign him, so he may have to secure one more loan move before eventually leaving Bournemouth on a free transfer.