Crysencio Summerville heads for Leeds United transfer exit as Liverpool battle Chelsea
Chelsea and Liverpool are leading the race to sign Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville this summer, according to The Sun.
The paper reported via their website on 28 May that the Whites winger is wanted by five Premier League clubs, with an exit expected after Daniel Farke’s side failed to secure promotion to the top flight thanks to a 1-0 play off final loss to Southampton.
West Ham, Fulham and Bournemouth are also credited with an interest in the Dutchman, who was named the Championship Player of the Season after scoring 19 times this term, but are seen to have a big job to do if they are to overcome the two giants.
Liverpool are owned by American billionaire John Henry [Forbes] while Chelsea are co-owned by another US billionair in Todd Boehly [Forbes] and private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
Summerville is slated to cost up to £40million, with Liverpool having been watching the Elland Road attacker since March, where he would fit the style incoming boss and compatriot Arne Slot.
Leeds United star to leave for Anfield or Stamford Bridge?
Summerville lit up the Championship for the majority of the campaign but was unable to effect the Wembley defeat at the weekend.
The Whites’ poor end to the season necessarily means they will have to lose some of their key men, with close to £190m in transfer instalments already owed this summer before any new signings are made, and a hefty wage bill for the second tier.
It is little surprise that Summerville is attracting interest in the top flight, and Chelsea’s interest may well have something to do with their imminent appointment of Leicester’s league-winning boss Enzo Maresca [Fabrizio Romano, 29 May].
While it is undoubtedly going to be a blow to Farke and Leeds United to lose arguably their best player this summer it was always expected if promotion wasn’t secured.
So a transfer battle between big-spending sides from the top flight is probably the ideal situation in the circumstances as the club look to bring in a sizeable fee to let the 22-year-old leave.
The likes of Willy Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and home grown teenage star Archie Gray are also potentially at risk of exits, with Farke and his recruitment department set for a second summer of upheaval in the transfer market.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports have shared a new update on a possible high-profile arrival at Elland Road.
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