Brighton & Hove Albion became the latest club to test Leeds United’s resolve with a big money offer for Georginio Rutter earlier this week.
The Seagulls are said to have seen a £30 million offer knocked back by Leeds for the Frenchman having also shown interest in Crysencio Summerville earlier in the window.
Following Leeds‘ failure to win promotion, the club always knew they would be in a vulnerable position when it comes to keeping some of their key men.
One major sale was always going to be needed and that officially arrived on Tuesday morning as Archie Gray completed his £40 million move to Tottenham Hotspur.
But unless an offer of a similar amount was to arrive for Rutter, there would be little point in selling him given how much Leeds paid back in January 2023.
Rutter’s stance on a Leeds exit this summer
By rejecting an offer of that magnitude, as well as their social media activity over the last 24 hours, Leeds’ stance on Rutter is pretty clear.
Leeds look as though they are very determined to keep him after he became such a key player last season, registering eight goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
Alongside Gray, Rutter has very much established himself as a fan favourite at Elland Road over the last 12 months and losing both in the same summer would be difficult to take.
However, thankfully according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Rutter is seemingly in no rush to leave Leeds during the current window.
The report states Leeds’ expectation is that Rutter will not try and force through a move after cutting a much happier figure on and off the pitch last season.
Obviously that can always change given Gray had taken a similar stance, but with the pressure for Leeds to sell having also been alleviated, it should mean Rutter has a high chance of staying.
What Rutter said about his future after play-off final defeat
Rutter still has four years left on his deal at Elland Road and so clearly the ball is in Leeds’ court when it comes to negotiations with any club.
Prior to this latest piece from the YEP, the only real hint we had from Rutter was his post-Wembley Instagram message to supporters in which he indicated he would be here next season. The signs are good.
He wrote: “Hello Leeds fans, a few days have passed but still as much disappointment, the objective was not achieved despite a superb season where each of us gave our maximum. Thank you for your support throughout the year see you soon. MOT.”