Georginio Rutter is expected to leave Leeds United for Brighton after reports emerged on Wednesday night that The Seagulls had triggered the £40m exit clause in his deal.
But his potential new manager, Fabian Hurzeler was unwilling to give anything way specifically on Rutter. Rutter featured as a sub in Wednesday’s woeful 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup at Leeds.
Hours later, and it had been reported that Brighton had triggered Rutter’s release clause of £40m. In the aftermath on Thursday morning, Rutter is said to have agreed to join Brighton though nothing is done.
What it has done, is left the Leeds fanbase fuming. The club have already sold Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville and could now lose the one remaining game changer in the side, in the form of Rutter.
What Brighton manager Hurzeler said when asked about Rutter
Having lost Gray and Summerville as well as five others, and only really improving the first-team squad with the additions of Jayden Bogle and Joe Rothwell, fans are not impressed that another could leave.
The 49ers have already raked in around £80m in transfer fees and that could now go as far as £120m, with only £15m spent. Hurzeler was asked if Brighton are close to the signing of Rutter, as per Leeds Live.
“First of all, I’m very happy with the squad we already have. It’s our job to search if there’s any player who fits our profile, our style of play,” Brighton’s new manager said, as he kept his cards close to his chest.
“The character of the player is very important for us. If there might be a fit, we will see what happens, but to negotiations or to players we want to maybe see in our squad, I will never say anything,” he continued.
What the Leeds supporters’ trust has said in Rutter statement
The Leeds supporters’ trust have posted a statement having held talks with Leeds in which they expressed their frustration at the probable sale of another key player, after both Gray and Summerville have left.
They say that the club have told them that Rutter is yet to make a decision one way or another. A contract offer is on the table for Rutter from Leeds, but nothing has been decided as of midday on Thursday.
The statement also explains why a release clause was included in a deal for Rutter, stating that the star would not have joined Leeds if it was not included – as is the modern way of transfer negotiation.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
