Leeds’ deadline-day capture of Jean-Matteo Bahoya was overshadowed by Enzo Fernandez’s joint-British record £125million move to Manchester City. However, the young winger’s arrival could ultimately prove to be one of the most astute deals of the transfer window.
Several Premier League clubs had been monitoring the France Under-21 international, with newly promoted Hull City at one point appearing to lead the race. Leeds eventually secured Bahoya on an initial loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, with an option to buy for £19.7million next summer.
That is a sizeable commitment for a 21-year-old yet to play in English football. Nevertheless, Bahoya’s displays in the Bundesliga since joining Frankfurt from his boyhood club Angers in January 2024 persuaded the Leeds hierarchy that he was worth pursuing.
The most obvious feature of Bahoya’s game is his remarkable pace. During the 2024-25 campaign, he was clocked at 23.1mph, making him the fastest player ever recorded in Bundesliga history.
That speed would place him fourth on the Premier League’s all-time list, behind Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven at 23.23mph, former Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker at 23.18mph and Wolves’ Jackson Tchatchoua, who also reached 23.18mph.
“In his first step, he kills you,” former Frankfurt team-mate Junior Dina Ebimbe said of Bahoya. “Today some players pass the ball to make a two vs one. But he really plays one vs one. He’s not scared to take his man on. In a one versus one, he always passes his man.”
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
It is the speed with which Bahoya accelerates from a standing start that creates the biggest problems for defenders.
Ebimbe added: “It’s too much. Maybe you can catch him after a while, but at the start, you’re definitely not going to see him again. His steps are so quick and he can change direction very fast.”
Bahoya offers far more than explosive running. His dribbling, creativity and defensive work are also notable. He completed the 10th-highest number of dribbles in the Bundesliga last season despite making only 27 appearances, a figure that would also compare favourably with many of the leading wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.
His aggressive, direct style has led to 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 one-on-one qualities are particularly valuable for managers facing the Premier League’s growing use of man-to-man marking, as well as teams looking to attack quickly in transition.
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The France Under-21 winger also posted strong numbers for interceptions and tackles. Previous coaches have further praised his footballing intelligence, identifying his decision-making and understanding of the game as additional strengths.
There is, however, a note of caution. Bahoya has registered only seven goals and eight assists in 78 appearances for Frankfurt, although his record was considerably more prolific during his time in the Angers academy.
He remains a raw and developing player, but he has already gained a significant amount of experience for his age, including appearances in both the Europa League and Champions League.
As a traditional one-on-one winger who can operate in several attacking positions, Bahoya possesses considerable potential. His arrival also gives Leeds valuable extra depth in the wide areas.
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 on the left for Frankfurt, where he preferred to cut inside onto his right foot, Bahoya is highly versatile
Leeds manager Daniel Farke generally uses a 3-4-2-1 system, so Bahoya is expected to compete for one of the two attacking positions behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He will face competition from Harry Wilson, Noah Okafor, Brenden Aaronson, Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha, although Nmecha is more likely to challenge Calvert-Lewin for the central striker role.
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.
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