Three top players left Leeds United for the Premier League during the summer transfer window due to release clauses, with Georginio Rutter’s Brighton team probably dealing the heaviest blow.
The atmosphere at Elland Road has changed with two victories to close out August, and another busy summer window under Daniel Farke is coming to an end.
The German saw several players from the 23/24 team sold due to secret release clauses, thus most of what happened was outside his control.
Georginio Rutter was sold by Leeds United for £40 million, with a trigger for his release.
Gut-wrenching news broke that Brighton had activated Georginio Rutter’s £40 million release clause following their EFL Cup loss to Middlesbrough.
It left Leeds helpless to stopping the Frenchman leaving, as he promptly accepted personal terms at the club and signed a long-term agreement at the AMEX.
Rutter has subsequently made two league outings under Fabian Hurzeler to mixed responses from those watching on during his late cameo against Arsenal last time out
The signing of Rutter back in January 2023 was one spearheaded by the 49ers rather than majority owner at the time, Andrea Radrizzani.
So, when news of the release clause being triggered emerged, blame fell squarely on the current owners’ door.
However, the Athletic have shared that the timing of the clause in Rutter’s contract was purely intentional, as the Seagulls activated it on the day when it was about to expire at midnight, 14th August:
“Brighton’s ability to trigger Rutter’s release clause in the final hours before it expired left the club with just a few weeks to find a replacement and it proved beyond them.
“The time limitation on Rutter’s clause was designed precisely to avoid a situation where Leeds would be left short but it is where they now find themselves, with Brenden Aaronson and Joel Piroe sharing the role early in the season. Neither can operate in the way Rutter did but should offer different types of build-up play.”
In the end, Leeds giving themselves 16 days to source a replacement for the £40million man wasn’t enough, as they failed to land a ‘number 10’ signing.
Farke warned the club to be ready for this happening
Farke stated in a press conference during August that he warned the club back in January to start planning for Rutter’s release clause being triggered.
We had targets to replace him, but for whatever reason, we didn’t move quick enough or decisive enough to get anything over the line.
Thankfully, we still look like having a very strong attack for the Championship and that stands us in good stead, but a 10 would be finish us off.
