Leeds in transfer talks to sign new £8m striker to replace Rutter

Leeds United have opened negotiations to sign a replacement for striker Georginio Rutter as the Frenchman's exit continues to approach, according to another report.

Rutter on the sidelines for the Leeds exit

Having already lost Crysencio Summerville this summer, Leeds are at risk of losing French striker Rutter to another Premier League club in the form of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Speaking last week, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke admitted a deal was close after Brighton triggered his £40m release clause and that Rutter had confirmed his decision to leave the Championship side in the coming days.

“I expect you to go. It's out of our hands. [It has been] difficult. Well done to Georgi for not deciding. He asked to sleep in it all night and wanted to help us.

“We tried to convince him, but we have to stick to what was signed in the past,” added Farke.

Although Rutter's departure will cost Leeds more than £100m in transfer revenue this summer, the exit has been well received on the pitch.

After two games of the Championship season in which Leeds were favorites to defend promotion, they sit in sixteenth place without a win, following an opening day 3-3 draw with Portsmouth and a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Between those competitions, they were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the first round after being beaten 3-0 by Middlesbrough at Elland Road as their season threatened to die before it really got started.

Additions are needed, and quickly, with Farke revealing he wants four new faces before the transfer window closes in two weeks. Now, you may have identified one of those.

Leeds open talks to sign £8m striker

This comes as journalist Marc Mechenoua says that Leeds are in talks with Swedish club Hammarby IF regarding an agreement to sign striker Jusef Erabi this summer.

The 21-year-old striker has scored seven goals so far this season in Sweden's top flight, and his form has attracted the attention of clubs in England's second division.

And Farke's side are among those keen to bring him to England, with talks “continuing” to add him to the already depleted squad at Elland Road before the transfer deadline.

Leeds are not the only club chasing his signature, with Norwich also keen on a move for the youngster after selling Adam Idah to Celtic this summer. Both clubs have been warned that it will cost €10m (£8m) to prize him away from Sweden this summer, but given that both clubs have recently made big sales the price tag may not be too much of a stumbling block.

Can the 21-year-old replace Rutter at the Elland Road side, even if the Whites look elsewhere to secure promotion back to the top flight?