Newcastle transfer update on Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, ‘cried wolf before’ on Anthony Gordon from Everton
Newcastle have “cried wolf before” on not spending money but it looks unlikely that they will sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, according to Graeme Bailey.
Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel on 4 January the HITC journalist claimed the Magpies won’t be spending much in January, despite having bought Anthony Gordon from Everton in similar circumstances a year ago.
He says Manchester City’s former Whites star Kalvin Phillips is the priority at St. James’ Park, and while Summerville fits the profile of the sort of player who would be in the frame if Eddie Howe’s side pulled another “left field” move he is not someone that Leeds will be ready to let go.
“Newcastle won’t be spending much money in January,” Bailey said (5m 15s). “They have cried wolf before, they did it last time with Anthony Gordon in January, and I don’t think they will.
“Their main target, as we know, is Kalvin Phillips, former Leeds man. He is top of their agenda, they need to bolster their midfield.
“If they did do one from left-field I think it would be a forward, a winger, someone of the ilk of Summerville. He’s clearly impressed a lot of people.
“I think he’s one who Leeds want to keep, but there’s a lot of things that can happen in January.”
Lurking
Howe routinely plays down what Newcastle may do in the transfer market, and has done since their Saudi takeover made them nominally the richest club in the world.
They did spend £45million to land Gordon from Goodison Park in the winter window last season [Sky Sports], and if they suddenly came up with money like that this month it would probably be enough to get the Whites’ attention.
There would still be an argument for refusing it either way since promotion to the Premier League would be worth more than that and the Dutchman is a prime reason why Daniel Farke’s side is in the running to achieve that.
It has been claimed that Newcastle actually have a lot more spend than they have been letting on in order to prevent asking prices getting out of hand, so if it does turn out that their financial might is put to use before the deadline it could make Leeds United fans uncomfortable.
However, Summerville is thought to have had chances to leave in the summer when plenty of his teammates were pushing to go but stayed.
He has become an undroppable player for Farke in the months since, with 12 goals and six assists in the Championship, so could well have no interest in leaving at this stage either way.
If a Leeds United hero, past or present, is to end up in the North East this month then it would be safer all round if it turned out to be Phillips and not Summerville.
In other Leeds United news, permanent exit negotiations are under way for one international on the books at Elland Road.