By Dan Carter

18th Sep, 2023 | 9:40am

Daniel Farke reveals Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter received 'lots of interest' this summer

Daniel Farke has revealed that there was lots of interest in Leeds United forward Georginio Rutter this summer, but the forward was committed to Elland Road.

The Frenchman scored his second goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Millwall on Sunday (17 September) having impressed throughout the game at The Den earning plenty of praise from fans and players alike.

But after a difficult first season in English football, which saw him fail to find the net once in the Premier League as the Whites were relegated to the Championship, the 21-year-old seems to have hit his stride and avoid being put off by any transfer talk.

Discussing interest in the forward, as quoted by Leeds Live (17 September) Farke said: “I was of course hoping it would work out and there was lots of interest in him, also big names all of Europe tried everything, but he was quite committed.

“Although he had a tough start to life at this club, he sensed there was more in it, wanted to prove his worth and pay something back and show I am a top-class player. If he works on the training pitch, in the games and shows such a commitment, such a work ethic, he’s on the right path, but not just him, all the other players as well.”

Tried everything

Keeping Rutter at Elland Road over the summer could be one of Leeds United’s best pieces of work this transfer window, should the forward be able to keep up his early season form and potentially fire the Whites towards the promotion places.

With big names across Europe interested in the striker, it shows just how valued and rated he is by clubs across the continent despite his slow start to life in English football. At 21, he is still so young and it was always going to take time for him to find his feet.

Few players were great for the Whites in the second half of last season as well, Leeds were poor following the January window and it would be unfair to point the finger at one player, especially a new striker, as the cause of their relegation.

But most sides would have likely cut their losses and moved the forward on this summer, Farke however isn’t like most managers and Leeds isn’t like most clubs. With the German boss still demanding more from the forward in games and training, it will be interesting to see just how good he can be this season and in the future.

In other Leeds United news, one Manchester United Midfielder was wowed by Rutter’s performance on Sunday