Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Fri 15 May 2026 13:19, UK

Leeds United should be looking to make a statement by signing Brighton & Hove Albion forward Georginio Rutter in the upcoming transfer window.

With Premier League safety confirmed at the Whites, Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises should be looking to make a statement in the summer, and the 24-year-old’s return would certainly be just that.

Rutter was an Elland Road fan favourite before completing a £40million move to the Seagulls in August 2024, and with the centre-forward now unhappy with his game time at the Amex Stadium under Fabian Hurzeler, the American owners should look to bring him back.

Fans in LS11 still have a special bond with the 24-year-old Frenchman, whose mercurial talent at the West Yorkshire outfit was deeply appreciated.

Farke got the best out of Rutter in the 2023-24 campaign, as the attacker provided 15 assists in the Championship, and a reunion should be on the Peacocks’ agenda as they look to establish themselves in the English top flight again.

Georginio Rutter may be enticed by Leeds United return

Speaking to the media about Rutter, Hurzeler said, “Of course, he’s not happy with his minutes, that’s normal, but he is there for his teammates and the club. That’s the most important thing: everyone puts their ego behind the success of the team.”

Farke is looking for a new striker at Leeds and who better than Rutter to reinforce the attack in the summer window.

The left-footed Frenchman has made 30 appearances in the Premier League this season for Bright, but only 20 have come as a starter.

Averaging 59 minutes per game, the versatile attacker has scored three goals, provided three assists and created eight big chances in the English top flight in the current campaign, as per Sofascore.

While Rutter’s numbers at Bright haven’t been the best, there has been a lack of service to him from his teammates, with the forward missing only two big chances.

Two of the ex-Leeds star’s goals have come from his left foot, one from his right and he has also won a penalty for the Seagulls, while averaging 0.8 key passes per game.

Daniel Farke gets set for attacking overhaul at Elland Road

Joel Piroe will likely be on his way out of Leeds in the summer, barring any surprises, after falling down the pecking order under Farke.

With the Suriname international behind the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson as the German manager’s attacking options, it would be best for him to leave.

The Whites will certainly need to bolster their forward line in the coming months and Rutter may be the perfect option to bring in more quality to help them climb further up the table.

If the France national is unsettled at Brighton, the West Yorkshire outfit may have a chance to bring him back to Elland Road to enjoy his football again.