Crysencio Summerville future crucial for Leeds United transfer priority - Fabrizio Romano
Leeds United may wait to sign a "priority" midfielder until after Crysencio Summerville's transfer future is decided, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking to GiveMeSport (26 July), the Italian journalist said that while signing a central midfielder is the club's top priority after Glen Kamara's transfer to Rennes, the fate of Summerville is just as pressing.
The Dutchman has been linked with several top clubs this summer after 31 goals and assists combined last season, and Romano said the Whites need to make a decision on his future in the next few days.
He said: “Their top priority is midfield. They are looking for players in that position, especially after the deal for Kamara.
“I think it’s really important for them to understand in the next week or 10 days what happens with Summerville because it’s a crucial part of their market.
"Then, for sure, they can do something in midfield.”
Leeds United must avoid drawn-out Crysencio Summerville saga
Should a bid north of £35million come in for Summerville in the next seven to 10 days that is too good for United to turn down, it's hard to see the Whites standing in their star winger's way out of Elland Road.
However, Romano's verdict on the Dutchman's transfer doesn't look like being that simple [LeedsLive, 17 June], with few clubs having formally submitted bids compared to the plethora who've declared interest.
That suggests this is a saga which could stretch to the back end of August, and that's exactly the kind of situation the Peacocks want to avoid after last summer's Luis Sinisterra-shaped transfer fiasco.
Sinisterra looked to be staying put at Elland Road having started and scored against Ipswich Town on 26 August, but five days later threatened legal action against the club to force a loan move to Bournemouth.
Thankfully, Summerville hasn't proposed anything of the sort, but that doesn't take away from the prospect of the winger trying to push through a move late in the window if one doesn't happen soon.
Therefore, it could be in all parties' best interests for a Summerville transfer – if that is to be the case – to be signed, sealed and delivered in the next few days, allowing the Whites to draw a line in the sand.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.