Leeds United star Georginio Rutter was spotted leaving Elland Road ‘in tears’ following Wednesday’s defeat to Middlesbrough with a transfer to Brighton looking imminent.
Despite a difficult start at the club, Rutter swiftly turned things around to become a popular figure at Leeds after notching eight goals and 16 assists across all competitions last season, while showing great dedication and personality on the field.
However, it looks like the Frenchman’s days in Yorkshire are numbered with multiple outlets — including Sky Sports — reporting that Premier League side Brighton have activated his £40m release clause.
Those reports appear to be backed up by Rutter’s recent actions.
Rutter leaves Elland Road in tears as exit looms
Rutter was a second-half substitute in Leeds’ humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup first round on Wednesday, but was ultimately unable to help his side turn things around.
The rumours linking the 22-year-old to Brighton had long since started circulating in the days leading up to the match, but there was thought to be an insistence from Rutter that he played.
However, according to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Rutter was seen leaving Elland Road after the match ‘in tears’ in what might be construed as an acceptance from the player that he has played his last game for Leeds United.
Rutter’s departure would be the latest blow in what has been an incredibly difficult summer for Daniel Farke, who has seen the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Glen Kamara all leave.
The Whites have been linked with Burnley’s Manuel Benson as a potential replacement for their forward line, as well as Jonathan Rowe of Norwich and Million Manhoef from Stoke City.
However, with Rutter joining the exodus from Elland Road, Leeds may well need to bring in multiple players if they’re to count themselves as serious contenders for promotion from the Championship.
wheels have fallen off already. Gutted!
Leeds is a cash cow for the owners.
Why can’t we get one decent owner? I’ve supported this club for over 50 years now and it’s a joke. They are stripping us bare. If this is true I’m done with this club. First Ken Bates, Then the Italians, now the yanks. How is that we can’t get a rich Sheik buying us?? We have no chance of being promoted. Nothing has been learned about selling our best players, Fair Play rules or not. Sick to death of constant disappointment. The ups and downs are turning to downs!
It’s the old board contracts not the new boards lack of integrity or ambition.
Leeds need support now more than ever.
M.O.T.
As a life long Leeds supporter of nearly 50 years I can confirm that we are NOT a “selling club” now as we simply can’t get rid of Patrick Bamford
Not what you boys wanna hear right now but I’m a Brighton fan who kinda fell in love with Leeds due to the docu’. Your fans are amazing!!! I really hope you get promoted despite this fire sale.
I Really don’t trust the 49ers what are they doing. Not being honest to loyal leeds fans. I thought they are going to invest in leeds and buy quality players to get them back in premiership. Hahaha what a lie they are destroying the club and looks like leeds will be down to next division.
Why can’t management persuade rutter to stay why don’t all the leeds fans go to Elland with banners persuade the owners not sell rutter mot ⚽️⚽️
Sell your best players your going nowhere fast
It’s the fans suffer, we pay high prices to support a team and the club, but it’s the club that let us down. Farke had a team in pre season, he knew what to work with, but that has changed twice now . How can you sustain a team when the club sells. And the club will blame the manager. Not sure where this season will lead us now, mid table !