The cost of failing to achieve promotion is now being realised by Leeds United as first-team stars find top-flight football elsewhere. Georginio Rutter is the latest to leave, having seen his £40million release clause activated by Brighton and Hove Albion just hours before it was due to expire.
He joins Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville in having a buy-out clause triggered by Premier League riches, while an £8m bid from Stade Rennais for ever-present midfielder Glen Kamara proved too tempting to turn down. Marc Roca, Diego Llorente and Charlie Cresswell also brought in seven-figure fees and supporters have been left wondering when money will be spent, with just £15m combined paid for Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon.
With Georginio’s exit now confirmed, Leeds have stood to make an estimated £123.1m from player exits this summer, which according to Transfermarkt places them among the biggest sellers across Europe. Take a look below to see exactly where they rank...
7. 14. Bayern Munich - £62.2m
Key sales: Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United (£38m), Noussair Mazraoui Manchester United (£13m), Malik Tillman to PSV (£10m). | Getty Images
8. 13. Villarreal - £63.6m
Key sales: Alexander Sorloth to Atletico Madrid (£28m), Filip Jorgensen to Chelsea (£21m), Ben Brereton Diaz to Southampton (£7m). | Getty Images
9. 12. Marseille - £64.9m
Key sales: Iliman Ndiaye to Everton (15m), Vitinha to Genoa (£13.5m), Ismaila Sarr to Crystal Palace (£13m), Matteo Guendouzi to Lazio (£11m). | AFP via Getty Images
10. 11. Newcastle United - £65.1m
Key sales: Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest (£35m), Yankuba Minteh to Brighton (£30m). | Getty Images
11. 10. Everton - £71m
Key sales: Amadou Onana to Aston Villa (£50m), Ben Godfrey to Atalanta (£10m), Lewis Dobbin to West Brom (£10m). | AFP via Getty Images
12. 9. Nottingham Forest - £71.2m
Key sales: Moussa Niakhate to Marseille (£27m), Odysseas Vlachodimos to Newcastle (£20m), Orel Mangala to Lyon (£20m). | Getty Images