Why Leeds shipping teen star out on loan to Sunderland could help us sign £20m player

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The Sunderland Echo said this week that if Manchester United are ready to loan Amad Diallo to a Championship club again, then he would pick Sunderland over Leeds – but Sonny Perkins may have a part to play in helping Leeds.

Diallo, 20, starred for Sunderland on loan last season. He scored 13 goals in 37 Championship games, including some real crackers – including in the play-offs against Luton. But with Sunderland failing, he is back at Old Trafford.

According to the Sunday People (25/6; page 56), Diallo is wanted on loan at Leeds. But the Echo have since claimed that if Manchester United were to let the Ivory Coast star out on loan again, Diallo would push to rejoin Sunderland.

The likelihood is, as the Echo state, that Diallo will leave on loan – but join a club in the top tier. A Premier League side, a Bundesliga club, a return to Serie A – having joined Manchester United from Atalanta for a huge £20m fee.

But that may come as a bit of a shock. Leeds will be among the favourites to secure automatic promotion, while it was a bit of a surprise for Sunderland to reach the top six last season – after just being promoted from League One.

Sonny Perkins may have part to play in Leeds loan move for Amad Diallo

Comparing Leeds and Sunderland’s chances of promotion next season, you’d have to favour the Whites – largely due to parachute payments and the current players Leeds have on offer. Diallo would be better off choosing us.

So, if Manchester United do sanction a loan to the Championship, Leeds are surely favourites. The Whites can help their cause even further. TeamTalk say Leeds are ready to loan out Sonny Perkins, and Sunderland are interested.

Blackburn and Birmingham also want Perkins. But surely, Leeds sending Perkins to the Stadium of Light would see Sunderland replace Diallo – and remove one of our main competitors in the pursuit to land the highly-rated winger.