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.
25. OUT: Cody Drameh (left upon contract expiring and joined Hull City)
One of the more recent confirmed exits. Drameh's contract at Leeds ended this summer and the full-back departed the club upon accepting terms with Hull City. Photo: Dan Mullan
26. IN: Joe Rodon (signed from Tottenham Hotspur)
A major signing, joining Leeds on a permanent deal from Spurs for around £10m after last season's stellar loan spell. Photo: Matt McNulty
27. IN: Alex Cairns (signed from Salford City)
Experienced keeper Cairns became the club's second signing of the summer in joining from League Two side Salford City. Photo: LUFC
28. IN: Joe Rothwell (loaned from Bournemouth)
Experienced midfielder Rothwell followed in Rodon and Cairns as the third signing of the summer, joining the Whites on a season-long loan from Bournemouth. Photo: LUFC
29. IN: Jayden Bogle (signed from Sheffield United)
The most recent in and another big one, right-back Bogle joining the Whites for £5m on a four-year deal from Sheffield United. Photo: LUFC
30. BACK: Brenden Aaronson (returned from Union Berlin)
USA international attacking midfielder Aaronson has returned from last season's loan spell at Union Berlin to be re-integrated back into the squad. Photo: Christian Kaspar-Bartke