Pascal Struijk used 'player power' to 'push through' move as Leeds left 'disappointed'
Leeds United are "disappointed" with the sale of centre-back Pascal Struijk to Brighton earlier this week.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Seagulls have secured the better end of the deal by far.
The South Coast outfit paid just £20million for the Dutchman, who had just entered the final year of his contract at Elland Road.
Wyness has made it clear that the deal only happened because the player "pushed through," having previously made it difficult for the Whites to agree a new contract for him.
The 26-year-old started 33 games for Leeds in the Premier League last season, and played a crucial role in them successfully avoiding relegation.
Daniel Farke relied heavily upon Struijk on the left side of his back three, but must now find a way to live without him next term.
Brighton have 'planned ahead' with Pascal Struijk deal
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Brighton's recruitment setup deserves all the praise once again for Struijk's signing.
The Seagulls recently sold Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham for £52m in the final year of his contract, and have already replaced him with good quality in Struijk.
However, speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he made it clear that the whole saga has been a bitter pill to swallow for Leeds.
"I think this is one that the player has pushed through the deal, although it's a decent price for a player with that time left on his contract," Wyness said.
"They'd have preferred to have had a renewed contract and tried to sell them at a higher price, obviously. Leeds would be disappointed, and it's a shame, but I'm afraid it's the days of player power.
"Brighton have come out of this very well. They've again planned ahead, sold well themselves and are acquiring again.
"Brighton are coming through and filling those gaps that they've been able to sell at high prices. This is more about the success of Paul Barber and Tony Bloom down at Brighton than it is about Leeds making any real sale here."
Leeds accelerate move for big-money defender
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider earlier this week that Leeds will step up their efforts to sign a new centre-back after losing Struijk.
The former recruitment man made it clear that the West Yorkshire outfit already have several players on their radar, and have done their research on multiple defensive targets.
Farke has encouraged the 49ers to back him strongly in the market this summer, and Brown believes that Struijk's replacement could come in the form of a big-money deal.
Leeds are expected to continue playing with their back three next season, meaning that strength in depth is a must for them at the centre of the backline.