Georginio Rutter of Leeds United is poised to agree to terms on a move to Brighton after expressing ‘yes’ to the offer, according to Football Insider.
On Wednesday (August 14), the Seagulls invoked a £40 million release clause in the Frenchman’s contract.
According to sources, the release clause was set to expire at midnight Wednesday.
Rutter has been given a significant wage increase to join the Premier League and is expected to conclude the contract in the coming days.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively disclosed on July 27 that Brighton intended to resume their pursuit of the forward after a £30 million bid was rejected.
Following Leeds’ elimination in the playoff final, impressive performances in the Championship last season piqued the interest of clubs across Europe.
Rutter would be the latest star to leave Elland Road this summer, after Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray to the Premier League.
Georginio Rutter is poised to follow top players away from Leeds United after Brighton bid.
Leeds faced the difficult task of retaining important players eager to test themselves at the highest level after failing to gain promotion the previous season.
Rutter is now set to leave Elland Road due to a release provision in his contract, which became active following Leeds’ relegation.
The same was true with Summerville’s departure, with the winger allowed to join West Ham after Leeds were unable to reject down their offer.
Gray’s contract also included a release clause, which was activated when he signed a new agreement in January, allowing him to transfer to Tottenham.
Daniel Farke’s team has been ripped apart during the summer transfer window, with incoming deals completed for Joe Rodon, Jayden Pogle, and Joe Rothwell in an attempt to boost their numbers.
On August 9, Football Insider stated that Everton had held negotiations to explore a deal for Wilfried Gnonto, despite Leeds’ reluctance to lose him.
After a dreadful start to the season in which Leeds conceded six goals in two games, the most recent of which was a 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough, Farke’s side appears to be in for another setback.
The club’s goal for the season was to achieve promotion at the second attempt, a challenge made more difficult by the departure of numerous key players.
