Phil Hay: No surprise if Leeds United sign Sonny Perkins
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has suggested that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see former West Ham United youngster Sonny Perkins join Leeds United this summer.
The 18-year-old left West Ham at the end of his contract, despite being offered a new deal by the Hammers.
The Athletic reported on 2 June that Leeds were interested in the 18-year-old attacker, who scored ten goals in Premier League two in the 2021/22 season.
It had been suggested by ExWHUemployee (1 July) that Tottenham were set to rival Leeds for the striker.
Despite Tottenham’s interest, Hay believes there is a good chance the youngster could end up at Elland Road.
Talking on the latest edition of The Phil Hay Show (31m29s, 8 July), Hay said: “Perkins they [Leeds] really like and they wanted to move for earlier in the summer.
“It will have to go to a tribunal after he decides his next club.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if Perkins ended up here.”
Sign him up
Perkins fits the bill in terms of the younger players Leeds like to give first-team chances to.
Lewis Bate and Joe Gelhardt are two examples of players under 23 who have been entrusted in the Whites’ first team this season and have succeeded.
Perkins has been ripping up trees in an excellent West Ham under-23 side and would certainly be a player who could make an impact at Leeds in the coming years.
There would obviously be a tribunal fee involved for the attacker, although that shouldn’t put Leeds off making a move for Perkins.
The 18-year-old could go on to be a real asset at Elland Road and would continue Leeds’ strong record of picking off youth talent from other Premier League clubs.
Perkins should consider what move will be better for his development and it is quite clearly a move to Elland Road.
He has to be playing regular football and given the odd first-team chance and that just doesn’t look likely at Tottenham.
Antonio Conte is building a strong squad that should challenge at the top end of the table and Perkins would see his chances limited at Spurs.
A move to Elland Road would be the most sensible move.
In other Leeds United news, the club have now opened talks with an ‘Incredible’ title-winning central midfielder to replace Kalvin Phillips and sign him along with Tyler Adams.