Rutter and Kamara close to cataclysmic exits as Farke fails in bid for Prem midfielder

Leeds United are in increasing danger of losing two more regulars this summer amid claims Brighton are ready to launch an improved bid for Georginio Rutter and with Glen Kamara also tipped to move on – and Daniel Farke’s hopes of signing another Tottenham player also suffered a blow.

The Whites are still licking their wounds after being forced to say goodbye to generational talent Archie Gray earlier this week after the club were forced to make the “heartbreaking” decision to sell the 18-year-old to Spurs in -a £40m deal. And while Leeds were able to agree a permanent £10million signing of Joe Rodon in the opposite direction, the loss of Gray did not go down well with their supporters.

However, Leeds were eventually forced to sell to avoid being penalized with a points penalty and to ensure they met profit and sustainability rules.

And despite his departure and now in a stronger position financially, the likes of Willy Gnonto, Ilan Meslier and EFL Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville continue to attract strong attention.

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Any sale now, however, will only be on Leeds’ terms and the club are in a better position to ensure they are not affected by sales.

However, they also know that a sizeable bid for any of their star men will be hard to turn down, although the Whites rejected a bid from Brighton for enigmatic French striker Rutter earlier this week.

The Seagulls are also looking into a possible deal for Summerville, although Rutter – who managed eight goals and 16 assists last season – is the main object of their desire.

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Brighton’s initial bid was worth £30m – just £5m less than the club-record fee Leeds paid Hoffenheim for the player in January 2023.

While the youngster struggled early on as the club were relegated from the Premier League, Rutter really hit the belts last season, playing a crucial role in the club’s unsuccessful push for promotion.

However, former Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson has heard Brighton are ready to launch an improved bid for the 22-year-old in the coming weeks – and suggests the Whites have no choice but to accept.

“I don’t think £30m is a bad price for Rutter,” he said Football Insider.

“I am surprised that Leeds have turned down this offer. Obviously they think they can get more for it.

“I think it was sporadic during the season. And Piroe had a good start to the season, but neither of them scored the desired number of goals from a number nine.

“I’d be surprised if Rutter didn’t go.

“If Brighton are still at the table with that kind of money already, then that will just be pushed up, but I think it’s a good deal.

“If they can get more than £30m for Rutter, some of that can be reinvested into a whole new number.

“Ideally you wouldn’t want him or Summerville to go because they were such a big part of the team last season.

“£30m for Rutter wouldn’t be a bad deal as long as he’s back in the team.”

Kamara also said to leave Leeds; The Skipp deal fails

Interest in Kamara, meanwhile, has come from Ligue 1 side Rennes – the club Leeds lured Raphinha to for a £17million fee in the 2020 summer delayed window, which in fairness looks a long time ago now!

Kamara joined Leeds in a £5.1million move from Rangers last summer and has been another to impress for Farke’s side.

However, reports claim the player has become a major target for Rennes as they look to replace Roma target Enzo Le Fee.

Reports in France claim that Kamara has already agreed personal terms over the move – and now transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to Leeds United Newsclaims it’s a question of when not if the Finland international makes the move.

“Kamara is one, I think it will work. There is interest in the Premier League for him and I know French side Rennes also like him,” he said.

“There are options for him abroad, many for him, so Kamara will go too. I think it’s a blow as Kamara played very well at times for Leeds last year. I think he was very good, so it will be a loss.”

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Leeds have made it clear to Kamara that he is a player they do not want to lose and his exit would leave two light players in the engine room with Gray already gone.

One man they have been looking to target as a potential replacement is Tottenham man Oliver Skipp.

The 23-year-old knows Farke well from a loan spell at Norwich and is believed to be one of his top targets this summer.

Those hopes could be boosted by Gray’s arrival at Spurs and with Skipp already falling down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou.

However, Bailey claims Skipp has no intention of relegating to the second tier and claims the move to Elland Road is a “non-starter”.

“No, Skipp is not giving up on the Premier League. I think he was a non-starter. I’m not sure about that (being too good for the championship), but I think he thinks so,” he claimed.