Brighton had already seen bids of £29m and £35m rejected this summer for Leeds star Georginio Rutter but the Frenchman’s contract featured a £40m release clause which became active upon United’s relegation back to the Championship at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
The clause had a Wednesday evening midnight deadline but Brighton activated the clause in time with a third £40m bid which left any prospective move in Rutter’s hands. Sky Sports Germany are now reporting that Rutter has agreed to join Brighton with immediate effect, that a verbal agreement is done with details to be clarified later today. The player’s medical, they report, could follow in the next 72 hours.
The summer transfer window opened on Friday, June 14, by which point Leeds had already released details of their new season retained list which in itself featured 11 departures. But a steady stream of further exits since including the exits of two stars now has Leeds nearing three team’s worth of players leaving the club.
The summer transfer window will close at 11pm on Thursday, August 30 but here we run through the full list of 26 exits which is expected to become 27 and then 28, four arrivals and two men returning, plus where released players have now ended up.
19. OUT: Scott Godden (released)
Released upon his contract expiring. Photo: Julian Finney
20. OUT: Morten Spencer (released)
Released upon contract expiring. Has since signed for Derby County as an under-21s player. Photo: David Price
21. OUT: Keenan Carole (released, joined Servette)
Released upon contract expiring and then sealed a move to Swiss club Servette. Photo: Jack Thomas - WWFC
23. OUT: Kristoffer Klaesson (sold to Raków Częstochowa)
Twenty-three-year old Norwegian keeper Klaesson has sealed a permanent switch to top-flight Polish side Raków Częstochowa. Photo: George Wood
24. OUT: Charlie Cresswell (sold to Toulouse)
Cresswell ended his time at Elland Road by sealing a permanent transfer to French club Toulouse for around £3.8m. Photo: Michael Regan