Peter Ridsdale shares plan to sign Leeds United ace in 2025, deal in place
Preston North End could face a problem if they wish to turn Sam Greenwood’s loan from Leeds United into a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Preston and Leeds have agreed on a fee for Greenwood to turn his loan into a permanent deal should he be a success at the Deepdale, as confirmed by PNE chairman Peter Ridsdale.
However, Ridsdale said the move will depend on whether Leeds are promoted to the Premier League this season.
As per Leeds Live [4 August], Ridsdale said: “Time will tell and we’ll see what happens there. That deal, the easiest bit is that the option-to-buy is an agreed price between Leeds United and Preston North End.
“It’s a classic case, isn’t it? If the loan doesn’t go OK, you don’t want to pay the fee; if the loan does go OK, everybody thinks the fee is too low or the two clubs fall out over the fee or whatever it is.
“In this case, the fee is agreed. If Sam loves us and we love him, the transfer fee between the two clubs is not a problem.
“It might become marginally more of a problem, were Leeds to be promoted – because Sam isn’t out of contract next summer.”
Sam Greenwood’s future will be decided by Leeds United success
Leeds are one of the favourites to win the Championship title this season despite the departures of key players such as Archie Gray and Crysenscio Summerville.
Daniel Farke’s side are considered too good for the second division and will have the money from sales to further strengthen the side before the transfer window shuts on 30 August.
Greenwood was one of the first names out the door at Elland Road this summer. He spent the last campaign at Middlesbrough and scored five goals in 37 league appearances, but Boro decided against making the move permanent for £1.5m [The Northern Echo, 9 May].
A second consecutive loan spell was needed for the 22-year-old to secure regular playing time, with Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph ahead in the pecking order.
The allure of the Premier League could become too much to resist for Greenwood, should Leeds secure promotion, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he will get regular minutes in the English top flight.
His focus should be on impressing at Preston. With only five goals last term for Boro, he needs to prove he is capable of being a regular in the Championship before his head can turn to vying for minutes for Leeds in the 2025/26 season.
Ridsdale will be free to make the switch permanent if Greenwood impresses for Preston. A path back into the first-team fold at Leeds is unlikely, especially if Joseph lives up to expectations this season.
In other Leeds United news, Brenden Aaronson has sent a message on Instagram after the Whites finalised a major transfer.
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