Paul Robinson insists that Brighton are set to make an improved bid for Leeds United striker Georginio Rutter in a renewed effort to secure his services.

Brighton had previously tabled a £30 million offer for the French attacker during the current transfer window, but the bid was rejected by Leeds United management, who are keen on retaining the 22-year-old within Daniel Farke’s squad.

While Rutter faced initial struggles after his high-profile transfer from Hoffenheim to Elland Road in 2023, his standout performances in the Championship last season, where he notched six goals and 16 assists, significantly bolstered his reputation. Although Leeds narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion, Rutter’s contributions were widely acclaimed.

With speculations about a potential transfer intensifying, Robinson anticipates that Leeds could ultimately agree to part ways with Rutter in the face of Brighton’s forthcoming improved offer. Expressing surprise over Leeds rejecting the initial bid, Robinson noted that the valuation indicates the club’s desire to secure a higher return for the talented forward.

Reflecting on Rutter’s performance last season, Robinson acknowledged the sporadic nature of his form, conceding that both Rutter and his teammate Piroe fell short of delivering the expected goal tally for the team. Nonetheless, Robinson emphasized the significance of reinvesting any potential transfer funds to acquire a proven goal scorer.

While acknowledging the financial boost a Rutter sale could provide, Robinson emphasized the importance of maintaining key squad members like Rutter and Summerville, who played vital roles in the team’s previous campaign. Nonetheless, Robinson envisions Rutter’s departure as a plausible outcome given the escalating interest from Brighton.

Ultimately, as negotiations continue between the two clubs, Robinson sees the likelihood of Leeds accepting an enhanced bid for Rutter, potentially exceeding the initial £30 million offer and opening avenues for squad reinforcement, particularly in the striking department.

However, once Farke took over as manager, his performances saw substantial improvement. He quickly became one of the top players in the second division, and retaining the Frenchman could be crucial for the club’s fight for automatic promotion next season.

Leeds United maintain a firm stance on Georgino Rutter amid interest from Brighton. With Rutter under contract until the summer of 2028, Leeds are in a strong negotiating position this year despite Brighton’s interest.

Losing him would be a significant setback for Farke’s squad, as finding a replacement capable of matching Rutter’s skill level would likely require considerable expenditure.

Should an offer in the vicinity of £40 million be tabled, it might be challenging for Leeds to refuse given their financial situation. Although Gray’s departure has somewhat improved their finances, there’s room for further improvement.

It’s a complex scenario, but if Brighton returns with a higher bid in that range, a sale might become a reality.