Exclusive: Georginio Rutter responds to Brighton offer
Leeds United star Georginio Rutter is expected to agree terms on a move to join Brighton after saying ‘yes’ to the move, sources have told Football Insider.
The Seagulls activated a £40million release clause in the Frenchman’s contract on Wednesday (14 August).
Sources say the release clause was due to expire at midnight on Wednesday.
Rutter has been offered a major pay rise to make the move to the Premier League and now looks set to finalise the deal in the coming days.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 27 July that Brighton planned to return in their pursuit of the forward after seeing a £30million bid turned down.
Impressive performances in the Championship last season inspired interest from clubs across Europe after Leeds were defeated in the playoff final.
Rutter would become the latest star to quit Elland Road this summer, following both Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray to the Premier League.
Georginio Rutter expected to follow star players away from Leeds United after Brighton bid
Failure to achieve promotion last time out left Leeds with the difficult task of keeping their key players who were keen to test themselves at the top level.
Rutter is now expected to depart Elland Road thanks to a release clause in his contract which became active after Leeds’ relegation.
The same was the case for Summerville’s exit, with the winger allowed to join West Ham after Leeds were left powerless to turn down their offer.
Gray also had a release clause in his contract which was inserted when he signed a new deal in January, allowing him to make the move to Tottenham.
Daniel Farke’s team has been picked apart during the summer transfer window, while incoming deals have been completed for Joe Rodon, Jayden Pogle and Joe Rothwell in an attempt to bolster their numbers.
Football Insider also revealed on 9 August that Everton had held talks to explore a deal for Wilfried Gnonto, although Leeds are reluctant to see him leave.
After a nightmare start to the season which has seen Leeds concede six goals in two games, most recently in a 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, Farke’s side now looks set to receive a fresh blow.
The club’s aim for the season was to reach promotion at the second time of asking – a task that will be made more difficult by several star players walking away.
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