Premier League clubs to test Leeds United resolve for Cysencio Summerville in January - Carlton Palmer

Carlton Palmer has called for Leeds United to keep Crycensio Summerville at Elland Road past the January transfer window amid Premier League interest.

The 21-year-old has been in inspired form for Daniel Farke's side in recent weeks, assisting against Bristol City before the international break and scoring twice to fire the Whites to victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday (21 October).

Leeds were reportedly transparently open to offers for Summerville this summer, with the Farke's side rejecting a late offer from Burnley [Phil Hay, 23 October], but former United midfielder Palmer has said that it is "important" the Whites keep the Dutchman through the January transfer window.

Speaking to Football League World (24 October) he said: "Premier League clubs are monitoring Crycensio Summerville ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

"Summerville scored twice on the weekend as Leeds came back to beat Norwich, at 21 he's a player Leeds would like to keep and he himself rejected overtures from Premier League clubs in the summer. The likes of Bournemouth, Everton and Burnley will all test Leeds' resolve in the January transfer market.

"But with Leeds intent on a return back to the Premier League at the first attempt, it's important they retain their better players - and Summerville is definitely one of those."

Important they retain

It's not exactly a revolutionary take from Palmer to suggest that Leeds United should be attempting to retain their best players, but it will be crucial when January rolls around that the Whites don't allow their better players to head to the riches of the Premier League.

Players will want to play at the highest possible level and heads could well be turned should the likes of Everton and Bournemouth come calling, but the Whites have to convince the likes of Summerville that it is worth staying at Elland Road for the second half of the season.

If Farke's side continue to go from strength to strength they are going to be in contention for the automatic promotion places and if the Whites are in that fight, some of the bigger names in the squad will be more inclined to remain with Leeds.

Losing the likes of Summerville halfway through the season could derail United's promotion hopes and would make the hard work in the early stages of the season and the effort to keep him over the summer transfer window completely pointless.

Hopefully, Leeds will stand firm when the new year rolls around and instead of losing some of their stars, they could pick a few extra additions of their own.

In other Leeds United news, Paraag Marathe has signed off on even more paperwork with Companies House