Leeds United are in the market for new signings having waved goodbye to Crysencio Summerville and plenty of other key players, and Ian Poveda could be about to help them land a key target.
Summerville, 22, left Leeds to join West Ham in a deal believed to be worth an initial £25m. Summerville’s fee could reach £34m if performance-related add-ons are met, and Summerville wins a Netherlands cap.
His exit leaves Leeds lacking in options on the flanks. Brenden Aaronson has returned to the club after a loan from Union Berlin and is an option out wide, alongside Leeds duo Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto.
But Leeds have lost Jaidon Anthony and Poveda from last season’s squad as well as Summerville, while Aaronson is naturally a no.10 and Gnonto’s agent is said to be working to find the Leeds star a new club.
Leeds desperately need a winger and Jack Clarke is a target
Leeds have plenty of cash to spend and are scouring the market to find the right signing. A possible return for Jack Clarke at Leeds is on the cards, after he scored 15 goals for Sunderland during 2023-24.
Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Clarke wants to join Leeds and Sunderland would be tempted to sell the Thorp Arch academy product if a fee of £20m was tabled, but Leeds are yet to bid.
Even if Sunderland do receive £20m, they might block a deal given Regis Le Bris has made an excellent start to life at the Stadium of Light with two wins. They may keep Clarke to aid a promotion push.
Why Poveda may offer Leeds help in pursuit of Clarke deal
The Colombia international joined Sunderland in the summer after leaving Leeds at the end of his contract. It had been expected he would join loan side Sheffield Wednesday, but he opted for Sunderland.
He is currently injured, missing the first two games but on Monday, he played 45 minutes of the U21 side’s game against Newcastle. His return will be timely for Sunderland but it could also help Leeds.
Indeed, with Poveda in the squad and fit, Sunderland may feel they have necessary options or at least the depth to cope with Clarke’s departure and that may tempt them into accepting an offer from Leeds.
Poveda’s fitness then, could provide Leeds a help in replacing Summerville with the signing of Clarke. As things stand, it is an unknown as to whether Clarke will be at Sunderland or Leeds come deadline day.
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