Dan Bardell has raised concerns that Leeds United could face a challenging season if they fail to find a suitable replacement for Georginio Rutter.
The French forward sealed a £40 million move to Brighton on 19 August, following the activation of his release clause, as reported by David Ornstein.
Leeds have been actively pursuing potential replacements, with Jack Clarke and Manuel Benson among their top targets.
However, with the transfer window rapidly closing, the club has yet to finalise any deals, leaving fans and pundits alike worried about the strength of their attacking options.
Bardell, a journalist for Sky Sports and talkSPORT, has urged Leeds to reinvest the substantial fee received from Rutter’s sale into bolstering their attack.
He emphasised the importance of finding a player who can fill the void left by Rutter’s departure, particularly given the 22-year-old’s influence on the pitch last season.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Bardell stated:
“He needs replacing for sure. This is a player who got a lot of assists last season as more of a number ten and was a very creative force.
“Leeds have got a positive fee but the problem is that they’ve already lost a lot of crucial players for good fees.
“It’s not like they really needed the money, they need good players and Rutter was going to be that for them. They need some investment in the attacking areas otherwise it could be a long season.”
The pressure is mounting on Leeds United to reinvest the funds from Rutter’s sale wisely. Daniel Farke’s squad, which came so close to securing promotion last season, now finds itself depleted after a series of key departures. Alongside Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville have also left Elland Road, further weakening the team.
As the transfer deadline approaches, the need for reinforcements in the attacking third becomes ever more urgent. The pursuit of players like Clarke and Benson could prove crucial, but time is running out. Leeds must act swiftly to secure these signings, or they risk entering the new season short on firepower.
With the clock ticking down, Leeds United face a crucial period that could define their campaign. The decision to reinvest in quality attackers could be the difference between a challenging season and a push for promotion.