Leeds United have been absolutely rocked by the latest news on Georginio Rutter.
Fresh on the back of a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, news emerged that Brighton & Hove Albion had activated Rutter’s £40 million release clause.
Brighton are said to have seen offers of £29 million and £35 million turned down, but met the demands of Rutter’s release clause before Leeds‘ tie with Boro.
With Leeds having already lost first team players Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Glen Kamara, seeing Rutter go would be an incredibly bitter pill to swallow.
Leeds had already been in the market for three new signings in the final two weeks of the window, but Rutter’s exit would make it four. It is difficult to see how they can all be replaced adequately.
What Leeds are asking Rutter behind-the-scenes
It is said that Rutter was actually aware of Brighton’s bid even before Leeds’ match last night, but still made himself available to play, coming off the bench in the second half.
Rutter has not once agitated for a move behind-the-scenes but now faces a huge decision on whether to stay, or make the move back to the Premier League.
Leeds have already raised just shy of £100 million in player sales this summer (including Luis Sinisterra), and so clearly this is an exit they don’t need from a financial perspective.
As such, according to Leeds Live, the club are said to be practically ‘begging’ Rutter to stay, but ultimately the ball is in his court.
The report also claims a new contract is not off the table if Rutter does decide to stay, even though there is still four years left to run on his current deal.
A quick decision will certainly be needed by Rutter for all parties, as if he goes, Leeds would have a serious task replacing him in such a short space of time.
