Leeds’ deadline-day deal for Jean-Matteo Bahoya was overshadowed by Enzo Fernandez’s joint-British record £125million move to Manchester City. Yet the less-heralded signing could ultimately rank among the smartest business of the transfer window.
Several Premier League clubs had shown interest in the France Under-21 international, with newly promoted Hull City at one point seemingly leading the race. Leeds, however, secured an initial loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, complete with an option to sign Bahoya permanently for £19.7million next summer.
That is a sizeable commitment for a 21-year-old yet to experience English football. But Bahoya’s displays in the Bundesliga, after joining Frankfurt from his boyhood club Angers in January 2024, persuaded Leeds’ decision-makers that he was worth pursuing.
The obvious starting point is Bahoya’s extraordinary pace. During the 2024-25 campaign, he was recorded at 23.1mph—the fastest speed ever registered by a player in Bundesliga history.
That figure would place him fourth in Premier League history, behind Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven at 23.23mph, former Manchester City defender Kyle Walker at 23.18mph and Wolves’ Jackson Tchatchoua, who also reached 23.18mph.
“With his first step, he kills you,” former Frankfurt team-mate Junior Dina Ebimbe said of Bahoya. “These days, some players move the ball around to create a two-versus-one. But he genuinely wants to play one-versus-one. He is not afraid to take on his opponent, and in that situation, he always gets past him.”
Leeds completed the deadline-day signing of Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt
Bahoya, 21, is a hugely exciting talent and the fastest recorded player in Bundesliga history
More than his outright top speed, it is Bahoya’s ability to explode from a standing start that creates the biggest problems for defenders.
Ebimbe added: “It is too much. You might catch him eventually, but initially you certainly will not see him again. His feet are incredibly quick, and he can change direction at remarkable speed.”
Bahoya offers considerably more than blistering acceleration. His dribbling, creativity and willingness to work are equally notable. Despite making only 27 Bundesliga appearances last season, he completed the league’s 10th-highest number of dribbles. That output would also place him among the leading wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.
His aggressive, direct style has prompted comparisons with Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku. Bahoya averaged 2.78 successful take-ons per 90 minutes last season, placing him in the 94th percentile among wingers across Europe. Those qualities could prove especially valuable as Premier League teams increasingly rely on man-to-man marking—and for sides looking to punish opponents quickly on the counterattack.
Bahoya also ranked well on measures such as interceptions and tackles, while his footballing IQ has been hailed by previous coaches as another strength.
An element of caution is required though, with Bahoya having contributed just seven goals and eight assists across 78 appearances for Frankfurt, although he was prolific during his time in Angers’ academy.
He is young and raw yet does have a fair amount of experience for someone of his age, and has played in both the Europa League and Champions League.
As a classic one vs one winger and with an ability to feature across the frontline, he most certainly has a high ceiling. He also adds some much needed depth to Leeds’ stocks in wide positions.
Bahoya (pictured in action against Tottenham in 2025) has experience of European football
The 21-year-old, who plays for France’s Under-21s, has been compared to Jeremy Doku
Although he tended to feature off the left at Frankfurt where he preferred to cut inside and come on to his right foot, Bahoya is highly versatile
Leeds boss Daniel Farke favours a 3-4-2-1 formation, meaning that Bahoya is likely to feature in one of the two attacking roles behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. There, he will compete with the likes of Harry Wilson, Noah Okafor, Brenden Aaronson, Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha, though Nmecha is more direct competition for Calvert-Lewin as a striker.
Bahoya is also a stylistic replacement and upgrade on Willy Gnonto, after the Italian moved to Fiorentina on a season-long loan. Although he tended to feature off the left at Frankfurt where he preferred to cut inside and come on to his right foot, Bahoya is highly versatile.
Wilson was a statement summer signing for Leeds, while Okafor and Aaronson impressed last season so they are likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order to begin with. Yet, with his lightning pace, Bahoya will no doubt prove to be a significant weapon to have off the bench.
Leeds’ positive start to the campaign, coupled with their hopes for 2026-27, means Bahoya is a shrewd and exciting addition that should complement their squad well.
