“Leeds Missed Out on £44m Striker in January 2023 and Opted for Rutter – Now He’s Brighton’s £40m Star”
In January 2023, Leeds United faced a pivotal moment in their season under Jesse Marsch. Struggling in the Premier League, the club had the chance to strengthen their attack by pursuing a £44m-rated striker. Instead, they invested heavily in Georginio Rutter, a decision that sparked mixed reactions at the time.
While Rutter became a fan favorite at Elland Road during the 2023/24 Championship season, helping Leeds stabilize before earning a £40m move to Brighton, his Premier League struggles were undeniable. He started just one league match for Leeds during his initial stint, failing to justify his record-breaking fee until his resurgence in the Championship.
Now, the £44m striker Leeds passed on could be heading to Tottenham next month, adding another twist to a story of missed opportunities and redemption.
“Leeds United’s Missed Opportunity: £35m Rutter Signing Left Them Short of Premier League Goals, Contributing to Relegation”
In January 2023, Leeds United needed an experienced striker to help them avoid relegation, someone who could reliably net between five and ten goals in the second half of the season. Instead, they splashed £35m on Georginio Rutter, a young talent with potential but unproven in the Premier League.
While Rutter’s talent was evident, his contribution was minimal, managing just one start as he struggled to make an impact. The decision left Leeds heavily reliant on the injury-prone Patrick Bamford and forced to wait for Rodrigo’s return. Unfortunately, the lack of an immediate, consistent goal-scorer proved costly, and Leeds were ultimately relegated at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Now, as the club contemplates what went wrong, the failure to secure a proven striker in that critical transfer window remains one of the biggest regrets of their ill-fated Premier League campaign.
“Leeds’ Missed Chance to Sign Matheus Cunha: Now Wolves’ £44m Star Could Be on the Move”
Back in January 2023, Leeds United were “seriously interested” in signing Matheus Cunha, the Brazilian forward who had previously been linked with the club during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure. Leeds saw Cunha as a potential addition to their attack as they sought to strengthen their squad for the second half of the Premier League season.
However, the Whites ultimately opted for Georginio Rutter, while Cunha joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan with a £44m obligation to buy. After a challenging start at Molineux, Cunha found his feet and made a significant impact, contributing to 19 Premier League goals last season.
This season, despite Wolves’ struggles and a managerial change, Cunha has continued to shine, with eight goals and three assists in 16 league games. Yet, with Wolves sitting in the bottom three and their managerial situation uncertain, Cunha’s future is now up in the air, making his potential departure a story to watch.
“Tottenham Eye £44m Matheus Cunha Move After Leeds Missed Out on Brazil Star Two Years Ago”
Two years after Leeds United were “seriously interested” in signing Matheus Cunha, Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly eyeing a move for the Wolves forward. According to a report from Give Me Sport, Spurs are considering a transfer for Cunha, Brazil’s international teammate of Raphinha.
Leeds missed out on the 25-year-old striker in January 2023 when he joined Wolves on loan with a £44m obligation to buy, and now, with Cunha in strong form despite Wolves’ struggles, Tottenham could make their move. It’s unclear how much the North London club would need to pay to sign him next month, but the potential for Cunha to move again is rising as the January transfer window approaches.
Would Matheus Cunha Have Kept Leeds in the Premier League?
It’s impossible to say for certain whether Matheus Cunha could have saved Leeds United from relegation, but his post-adaptation form at Wolves suggests he could have been a major asset.Cunha’s first 17 Premier League appearances for Wolves were underwhelming, with just two goals to his name.
However, the Brazilian forward has since found his rhythm, contributing to 30 goals (goals and assists) in his last 48 Premier League appearances. That kind of form would have undoubtedly bolstered Leeds’ attacking options in the second half of the 2022/23 season.
Had Cunha joined Leeds instead of Rutter, there’s a chance his goal involvement might have helped the Whites steer clear of relegation, though it remains a hypothetical scenario. Still, his impressive 30-goal contribution in just 48 games since that shaky start shows his potential to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
With Cunha’s value rising and his £44m move to Wolves now looking like a bargain, Tottenham will likely have to spend much more than that to secure his services in the January transfer window.