Leeds United 'missed out on targets' as Angus Kinnear explains release clauses and transfer window

Release clauses, like that which paved the way for Georginio Rutter to leave Leeds United last month, are essential in bringing some players to Elland Road. Angus Kinnear lifted the lid on that situation during August’s supporter advisory board meeting, that fell two weeks before deadline day.

In minutes published on the club’s website today, United’s chief executive tackled fan questions about the transfer window and those clauses which rendered the club powerless to stop some players departing. After rejecting two bids from Brighton & Hove Albion for Rutter, United were forced to accept a £40m bid from the Seagulls on August 14, one day before this fans’ meeting.

The minutes state: “AK provides updates and explains why release clauses are included in certain circumstances. Using Georginio Rutter as an example, without a relegation clause he wouldn’t have signed for the club in January 2023.

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“The club made every effort to keep Georginio, but he wanted to play in the Premier League now.”

Speaking on August 15, Kinnear said the club, at that stage, were where they expected to be in the transfer window. At that point, there were still four new faces to arrive, while Archie Gray, Charlie Cresswell, Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville and Rutter (just about) had all been sold.

Gray’s departure was considered an expectation by Kinnear in this summer’s window, he said.

“AK thanks everyone for attending,” it states. “The club are where they expected to be at this stage in the transfer window. Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville’s departures were to be expected. [The] aim now is for more additions before the end of the window and no notable exits.”

Questions about 49ers Enterprises were also put to Kinnear in this meeting. He aimed to reassure attendees the investors want to win promotion and have pumped money into the club to achieve this.

The chief executive also revealed several transfer targets had escaped their clutches this summer because of the pull of the top flight, but this was the calibre of player they were going after.

The minutes state: “AK explains, from a business point of view, no one wants promotion more than the 49ers. Investors have invested in Leeds to be a Premier League side.

“Club have missed out on targets this summer as no amount of money can attract certain players because the Premier League’s pull is vast, but this is the profile of player the club wants.

“AK says a lot of business now under this ownership is intentionally kept away from the media to stop other clubs from hijacking deals, hence the lack of rumours.”