Leeds United reject £30m Premier League bid for key attacker on the eve of pre-season

A £30m offer for Georginio Rutter from Brighton & Hove Albion has been rejected by Leeds United. LeedsLive understands the bid from the Seagulls has been knocked back over the past 48 hours by the Whites hierarchy.

The weekend and start of this week has been dominated by the talks with Tottenham Hotspur that eventually saw Archie Gray and Joe Rodon exchange places ahead of the new season. While those talks were going on, the East Sussex outfit tested the water with a bid for Rutter.

Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto have been the attacking names linked away from West Yorkshire with transfers this summer, but Rutter, despite registering 16 assists last term, has not seen such speculation. Rutter remains the club’s record signing after arriving from Hoffenheim last year for around £35m.

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United’s profitability and sustainability picture was not in a desperate state heading into the June 30 deadline, but Brighton have tested United’s resolve in recent weeks. The offer for Rutter follows some informal enquiries around Summerville’s position, but their offering did not tick the club’s or the winger’s boxes on a transfer.

Rutter reported for pre-season at Thorp Arch today with the vast majority of the playing squad Daniel Farke currently has on the books. The 22-year-old has four years remaining on his contract and is set to play another key role for Farke in their 2025 promotion push.

With Brenden Aaronson returning to play a part at Elland Road next term, there is the possibility Rutter is tried in a wider role, as he played at Hoffenheim, by Farke. Time will tell how the German’s strongest line-up shakes up come September 1.