Ever since The 49ers took over from Andrea Radrizzani in the summer of 2023, Leeds United have tried to keep transfer news behind closed doors until the final stages.
That is why, when news broke on Saturday evening that Pascal Struijk was about to join Brighton, it came as a shock to all Leeds fans. Struijk has been at Elland Road for the last eight years, joining at just 18.
One of Victor Orta’s success stories, the Dutchman clocked up a total of 196 senior appearances for the Whites after his breakthrough into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa. He has been Leeds’ vice-captain.
Why Leeds were left with Pascal Struijk decision
Going into the summer, Struijk was due to enter the final 12 months of his deal. Ethan Ampadu, Daniel Farke, Brenden Aaronson, and Ilia Gruev were the same; Ampadu has signed a new deal at Leeds.
£20m for Struijk: The best of a bad situation?
After eight years, Struijk is leaving Leeds.
But Struijk has decided to search for pastures new. After admitting there was interest in him last summer, Struijk chose not to put pen to paper on new terms, leaving Leeds between a rock and a hard place.
Brighton win race for Struijk after agreeing £20m fee
Beren Cross of The Athletic, among others, broke the news on Saturday evening that Struijk is about to join Brighton in a £20m deal. It sees Brighton replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who was sold to Tottenham.
Tottenham themselves were supposedly interested in Struijk this summer, but having signed van Hecke from Georginio Rutter’s Brighton, their interest in Struijk is likely to have reduced ahead of the window.
Why Leeds have made the right decision to sell Struijk
On the face of it, £20m for Struijk is cheap. Many will feel Struijk is much more important to the side than a measly £20m. But between £20m now, or nothing next summer, Leeds have made the right decision.
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It gives Leeds the chance to replace Struijk with a bigger fee than any sum spent on their 10 signings last summer – Anton Stach cost the most at £19.9m – but Struijk is pure profit in the eyes of Financial Fairplay.
Given he cost a nominal fee more than eight years ago, the £20m fee secured for Struijk will give Leeds more room in the transfer market. Should he have cost more? Arguably, Struijk is a £30m+ defender.
Especially given he is left-footed. But with his contract ending and his desire to try something new as per the report, recovering £20m and not losing him on a free in 2027 is the best deal Leeds could have got.
Struijk’s decision to ignore a new contract left the 49ers with a decision to make. They could have kept Struijk another season and allowed emotion to cloud their judgment, but instead, the right call was made.
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