Georginio Rutter’s exit has now seen Leeds United rake in a fee well above £130m in sales after the Frenchman opted to join Brighton, and Luciano Becchio has responded.
Rutter is the eighth permanent sale made this summer as Leeds‘ club-record signing becomes Brighton’s most-expensive signing at £40m. Leeds had already cashed in on Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray.
Rutter, Summerville and Gray take Leeds’ earnings this summer to a huge £105m up front and potentially more in add-ons. Summerville’s move to West Ham could reach £34m if his add-ons are met in London.
Elsewhere, Luis Sinisterra joined Bournemouth permanently at the beginning of the year but his transfer fee will show up on this year’s financial books. Glen Kamara and Charlie Cresswell have headed for France.
Marc Roca and Diego Llorente link up at Real Betis, while Kris Klaesson has moved to the Polish first tier with Rakow. Some reports are claiming that Leeds have raked in a whopping £138m from player sales.
Luciano Becchio tells Leeds the kind of player to go and sign
Daniel Farke has made it clear he would like four new signings before the August 30 deadline. Whether that actually happens remains to be seen as he eyes a full-back and a new midfielder for his squad.
He also wants replacements for Rutter and Summerville and they are unlikely to come cheap. Players like Jack Clarke, Michael Lang, Calvin Stengs, Jonathan Rowe and plenty more are said to be on Leeds’ radar.
But Leeds icon Becchio believes The Whites need a striker that can score goals. He took to his Instagram story on Tuesday evening, telling Leeds fans: “We need a goal-scoring striker. Marching on Together.”
Leeds might not need a striker in terms of bodies, but in quality
Looking at the current Leeds squad, Farke’s men are not lacking a centre-forward. Patrick Bamford, Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Mateo Joseph are all vying for a start while Luca Thomas is breaking through.
In terms of depth, Leeds have plenty. But up top, do Leeds have the quality required to fire them towards The Championship title? Joseph looks a real talent, but he’s only scored one league goal for The Whites.
Bamford’s fitness remains a massive question mark and Piroe looks a striker devoid of confidence when compared to the main man he portrayed at Swansea. Leeds could do worse than heed Becchio’s advice.
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