Leeds United looks set to lose Georginio Rutter after Brighton and Hove Albion have had a bid accepted, according to David Ornstein on X.
The Premier League side have reportedly matched the £40 million release clause in the Frenchman’s contract. Albion had already seen bids of £29 million and £35 million rejected by the Elland Road outfit.
Rutter is under contract with Leeds until the summer of 2028 having joined from Hoffenheim in January 2023 in a deal worth an estimated £30 million.
Last season was a productive one for Rutter as he provided eight goals and 16 assists for his team across all competitions. United failed in their bid to return to the Premier League, losing out to Southampton in the playoff final.
The 22-year-old joined the Yorkshire side from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim having started his career in his native France with Stade Rennais.
Losing Rutter would be another blow to manager Daniel Farke, who has already seen big money departures this summer. Archie Gray has left for Tottenham Hotspur, Crysencio Summerville has joined West Ham United and Luis Sinisterra is now a Bournemouth player having made his loan permanent.
These exits have left Farke with a threadbare squad as he looks to go one better than last season. United have been credited with an interest in Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys and Liverpool midfielder Bobby Clark.
Brighton is loaded in the midfield area and Rutter is likely to be competing with Paraguayan Olympian Julio Enciso for the advanced midfield role.
Writer’s View
Leed’s fans must have feared the worst when they failed to gain promotion and those fears have come true.
The star men from last season have departed and the squad seems a little thin for a gruelling Championship season.
They still have a team packed with quality and are expected to challenge, but need to add depth to cover the inevitable injuries and suspensions that occur during a long season.
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