West Brom's next opponents Leeds United dealt blow as £40m transfer clause activated

According to various sources, such as the BBC, Brighton & Hove Albion have activated the £40m release clause for Georginio Rutter. Earlier this summer, the Seagulls were unsuccessful with a £30m offer for the forward, and have now decided to pay what is in the contract of the Whites star.

Our friends at the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that there was a deadline for the clause was at midnight on Wednesday (July 14), which was the same day that Leeds lost to Middlesbrough, but Brighton activated it in time. Rutter will now have a decision to make on whether he moves to American Express Stadium, but according to Sky Germany, he has already verbally agreed to make the move.

Sky Sports here in the UK are reporting that Leeds want Rutter to stay Elland Road and are doing everything they can to persuade him to give them another season in the Championship. If the move was to go through then it would be a record fee received for a player at a club that hasn't immediately been relegated from the top-flight. Romeo Lavia's £58m move from Southampton to Chelsea is the record for the division, but the Saints had just dropped out of the top-flight.

Rutter's proposed transfer to Brighton now brings a doubt over whether he will play a part against the Baggies at the weekend. Leeds reportedly want him to stay, but now he and his representatives will want to speak to Brighton to see what they can offer him. With two days until the game, even if the move isn't finalised this weekend, Leeds will be left the decision whether to play him or not with his future up in the air.

Both Leeds and West Brom exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage this week, with the Yorkshire outfit losing convincingly to Middlesbrough. Anfernee Dijksteel, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn all on target in a strong 17-minute spell for Michael Carrick's men.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke took full responsibility for the defeat after making eight changes but said there would not be a repeat of their cup performance.

Speaking to the YEP, he said: ""I'm responsible that we won't win the Carabao Cup this season. I take it on the chin and the [fact] we changed so much, that was the reason we lost today.

"It's not so much about giving messages or speaking about something. I think also our supporters are experienced and smart enough to know [what happens] when you have such a quick turnaround in the Carabao Cup. Of course, we would like to show a better performance, especially in the home game and a better outcome.”