The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 18th June) Brighton open talks over Summerville move
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 18th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Brighton open talks over Summerville move
Brighton are now hot favourites to sign Leeds ace Crysencio Summerville, after talkSPORT revealed they are in talks over a permanent Summer deal. The Seagulls are the first club to put their cards on the table regarding a proposed £30m. The fee may sound a little light, but firm interest could very well force other top flight clubs to show their hands, and a bidding war could take place. The Dutch maestro joined the Whites in 2020 for just £1.5m. He has made 77 first team league appearances, and netted 23 times.
Brighton have a reputation for getting their business done quickly, and without fuss; something that will appeal to the Leeds board. It has been widely speculated that Leeds want to sell before splashing out too much this Summer, but if they can raise £75m with the sales of Summerville, Gnonto and Harrison, they'll stay the right side of FFP, and have money left over for purchases. That's not to say that other Leeds players won't leave the club this Summer, but at least they'll be doing so on Leeds terms!
Can Everton raise £40m+ for double Leeds swoop
Everton have revived their interest in Wilfred Gnonto, and could join Jack Harrison at Goodison Park next season. Gnonto, still only 20, came close to joining the Toffee's last Summer, but the Elland Road board wouldn't budge from their £25m - £30m estimation, leading the Italian International to go on strike in a bid to force the move.
He was frozen out of first team affairs, and made to train by himself, but was welcomed back to the fray after apologising to Daniel Farke. He has another three years left on his contract, so Leeds can afford to spurn Everton's advances, but the Whites need to raise capital this Summer, to stay on the right side of Financial Fair Play, and rebuild a squad capable of automatic promotion.
Leeds don't need both Gnonto and James; it's a luxury no Championship outfit can justify. Gnonto is likely to raise more money, and has already attracted the attention of Roma and AC Milan, not that Italian clubs have a good reputation of paying market value.
It's looking ever so likely that Jack Harrison will stay at Goodison Park next season, which could see Everton try to wrap up both players signatures on permanent deals this Summer, but how likely is it that they can find at-least £40m to make it happen?
Leeds ready to make offer to Johnson
Ben Johnson has walked away from a five year mega deal with West Ham, in the quest for first team action! The 24yo versatile left-back is understood to be frustrated at the amount of minutes he earnt at the London Stadium last season, and has decided to cut ties with the club he has spend the last 17 years with. He is attracting attention from Rangers, Galatasaray and Crystal Palace.
With no fee to pay, Leeds can afford to put together an attractive package that could entice him to Elland Road. Johnson is a former England U21 International, and has made 69 senior appearances for the Hammers, scoring twice!