Georginio Rutter has said his Leeds United goodbyes, Daniel Farke reveals, as Whites look to move on

Rutter's departure for Brighton and Hove Albion is still to be signed, sealed and delivered but manager Daniel Farke has accepted the £40m will go ahead before Saturday's Championship game at West Bromwich Albion.

Signed from Hoffenheim for £35m in January 2023 when Leeds were in the midst of a Premier League relegation battle they ultimately lost, Rutter had a release clause in his contract, which the Seagulls triggered after two failed bids.

The departure, on top of those of Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville has been compounded by a poor first week of the season which has seen the Whites concede six goals in a draw with Portsmouth and a League Cup exit to Middlesbrough.

But those fans praying Rutter might change his mind have been warned not to build their hopes up by the manager.

"I expect he will leave, it's not in our hands any more," said Farke.

"The news came out more or less during our preparation for the game on Wednesday in the early afternoon so Georgie was aware, I was aware, the players are not stupid, they were aware.

"Fair play to Georgie that he didn't rule himself out of the gam. He said, 'I need to sleep on this overnight,' but he wanted to be involved in this game, so credit to him.

"But this morning was a pretty emotional morning because he more or less said goodbye. I can't confirm anything yet because it's just just done when it's done but he has said goodbye in a pretty emotional way to every staff member and each of his team-mates.

"I expect in the next 24 to 48 hours it will be confirmed officially.

"I'm pretty sure we will be without him from today on."

Farke, who said he was not aware of the clause when he first joined Leeds but was soon after, was keen to deflect blame for what he called "the sins of the past" away from the present regime.

49ers Enterprises took control of the club last summer having played a minority role beforehand.

"What's still the reality is there were some contracts and it's not like you come in, have a different view and press a button and change it," said Farke.

"As a club we have to learn the lessons."

Rutter's release clause was set with a time limit to give Leeds time to sign a replacement, and it has now expired. When asked if this was the case for everyone else in the squad, Farke would not comment.

He must now comment on spending the money received for Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, who joined West Ham United when his £25m clause was triggered on a full-back, a central midfielder and replacements for the pair.

"After one day of sadness and disappointment we'll make sure we try in the next two weeks (of the transfer windwo) to be proactive and ambitous to make smart choices," said Farke. "It's not like we're just relying on one players, one staff member, one board member, one manager or sporting director. It's always possible to replace one person.

"Quality has left, there is no doubt about this, we have to rebuild a little bit.

The transfer deadline is 11pm on August 30.

Leeds’ next game is at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday at 12.30pm.