Leeds United go to Brighton on Saturday afternoon in a match that sees Georginio Rutter face his old side for the first time, but he wasn’t the only player Brighton wanted to sign from Leeds.
Failure to win promotion in the summer of 2024 meant Leeds had to sell players to balance the books. Daniel Farke watched on as his Leeds side were beaten by Southampton for a third time at Wembley.
That summer, a little over a year ago, Leeds raked in more money than any other club in European football. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Glen Kamara were all sold by Leeds.
Gray of course, joined Tottenham in a £40m deal that allowed Leeds to then sign Joe Rodon permanently. Rutter’s £40m clause was activated after Brighton failed with two earlier bids, worth £29m and £35m.
Brighton wanted Leeds quartet in 2024, one is still at Elland Road
Summerville joined West Ham for an initial £25m, with £9m potentially due in add-ons and Kamara moved to Rennes where he has flopped. Brighton got Rutter, but they wanted more of Farke’s squad.
According to TBR Football, Brighton actually wanted four members of Farke’s 2023-24 squad. Along with Rutter, The Seagulls wanted Summerville and Kamara before they moved to West Ham and Rennes.
The other Brighton target, in the summer of 2024, is still a Leeds player. Willy Gnonto is expected to be back in training ahead of the Brighton clash after a calf injury and hernia surgery, and he was a target.
Georginio Rutter yet to fully prove £40m transfer fee at Brighton
Brighton are renowned for their ability to buy well in the transfer market. Spending decent fees on players that have the potential to shine in the Premier League, and then selling for much bigger transfer fees.
Players like Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Alexis Mac Allister, and Marc Cucurella were all bought for small-ish fees and sold for much more. Rutter, meanwhile, remains Brighton’s biggest-ever incoming transfer.
| Spell | Club | Games | Goals | Assists | Mins per G+A |
| Academy-2021 | Rennes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2021-Jan 2023 | Hoffenheim | 64 | 11 | 8 | 169.5 |
| Jan 2023-2024 | Leeds | 66 | 8 | 18 | 181.9 |
| 2024-present | Brighton | 40 | 8 | 7 | 165.3 |
This season, for example, Rutter has failed to score in eight games but he has laid on three assists. His 15 goals and assists in 40 appearances is solid, without sparkling. Leeds will hope it continues on Saturday.
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