Phil Hay drops transfer update on Leeds United striker Georginio Rutter
Big European clubs fancied signing Leeds United striker Georginio Rutter in January and would still be willing to take a punt on him, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist believes that the negative reaction Leeds fans have towards the Frenchman is not down to the player he is, but the fact that so much was shelled out on him and he failed to make the difference in their fight against relegation.
The 21-year-old made headlines when he moved to Elland Road in January 2023 as he broke the record and was the most expensive acquisition in the club's history.
Hay said on the Square Ball at 14:00, "The criticism of that signing wasn't over Rutter per se, it was over the fact that given what he contributed in that second half of the season from the end of the transfer window onwards, it wasn't right. I don't think that's the same as saying Rutter isn't a good player or a talented player. There are bigger clubs in Europe who would've taken him and do fancy him."
Coming good finally?
Rutter had plenty on his back for his lack of quality displays for the Whites not just in the Premier League but also the Championship.
He was played in multiple positions and he failed to make a telling impact as some of the other players have done.
However, the Millwall game was perfect for Rutter to silence his critics and offer glimpses of why the hierarchy took the gamble on him.
He arrived at Elland Road relatively unknown to the average Leeds fan and the fact that he signed for a club-record fee meant that there was going to be added scrutiny.
It now looks like he's getting on well with Joel Piroe and perhaps Daniel Farke has figured out that Piroe playing behind him could maximise the output of the attacking duo.
It remains to be seen if Rutter can kick on from that and go on to score 15-20 goals over the course of the season.
In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke surely has the last laugh as footage of a £20m+ player has emerged over the past week.