How Brighton signing Georginio Rutter from Leeds has scuppered Leicester transfer
Brighton's next piece of transfer business could deal a heavy blow to one of their Premier League rivals ahead of the new season.
Albion look set to complete the signing of Leeds forward Georginio Rutter, after triggering the £40million release clause in his contract at Elland Road.
But it isn't just the Whites who will feel the impact of the potential transfer, with Rutter's movements set to have a huge knock-on effect on Leicester too.
The Foxes had been in line to bring Bayer Leverkusen forward Adam Hlozek to the King Power, having agreed a loan-to-buy deal subject to personal terms.
However, the Premier League new boys now appear set to miss out on the 22-year-old, with Hoffenheim favourites to pip them to securing the Czech international's services.
German publication Bild are reporting that a £14.5m deal has been agreed between the Bundesliga sides, with a long-term contract in place.
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And a major reason for the change in circumstances is in fact Rutter's imminent south coast switch.
Hoffenheim are only now able to afford Hlozak as a result of the sell-on clause they have in Rutter's contract, who played for the club between 2021 and 2023, as well as the sale of Maximilian Beier to Borussia Dortmund for a reported €28.5m (£24.2m)
With Leicester expected to have a relegation battle on their hands this season, while Hoffenheim will compete in the Europa League, the move would arguably be a more attractive one for the attacker.
The collapse of the deal is extra bad news for Leicester, who head into their league opener against Tottenham without an established striker, with Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka both currently injured.
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As things stand, this means that manager Steve Cooper will have to choose between young striker Tom Cannon or wide-men Stephy Mavidi and Bobby Decordova-Reid to lead the line on Monday night.
The potential fall-out from Rutter's move to Brighton would represent a second time the league rivals have crossed paths this transfer window.
Leicester recently announced the signing of promising midfielder Facundo Buonanotte on loan from the Seagulls until the end of the season.
This will only be a small consolation to Leicester fans however, with Albion's recent activity the latest blow for the Foxes in a tumultuous summer which has seen them lose promotion-winning manager Enzo Maresca, and former star, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea.
Speaking on transfers, Cooper said: "Sometimes it's not easy to do and I understand that as well. You've got to bring the right players in.
"But we've got to make sure when that first game comes we're in with a chance of being able to what we need to do in the Premier League.
"It's not as clear as saying we need players in this and that position... there are certain profiles of players and attributes we need and I'm clear on that.
"I'm not going to say we need 'X' amount of players because if you get more it sounds like there's no plan. There's a clear plan and hopefully we can get a few signings over the line and like all managers say, the quicker, the better."
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