Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville is in high demand this summer but the Whites are looking for a figure as high as £40 million for his services, according to reports.
Following the club’s failure to return to the Premier League last season, Summerville has been linked with a number of clubs in the top-flight of English football as well as abroad. The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion and Newcastle United have all been keeping tabs on his situation at Elland Road.
West Ham United are the latest team to join the running to sign the Dutchman who scored 21 goals and recorded 10 assists in all competitions last season despite the club missing out on promotion after a play-off final defeat to Southampton. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that the Hammers had submitted an official proposal for the winger to Leeds.
Nevertheless, Romano added that the East London side are still a long way away from completing a deal for Summerville as the club currently considers him to be too expensive and may not have the funds to force the West Yorkshire outfit to sell.
Now, talkSPORT have provided an update on this transfer saga, claiming that Leeds United are looking for a fee of around £40 million in order to let the 22-year-old leave which may price West Ham out of any potential deal.
Leeds already sold youngster Archie Gray for £40 million to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, although central defender Joe Rodon was included in the deal as he headed in the opposite direction on a permanent basis. It is believed that the Welsh centre-half accounted for £10 million of this £40 million figure, leaving Gray to make up the remaining £30 million, but the Whites are now looking for a similar fee to offload Summerville before the transfer window closes.
Writer’s View
The Summerville transfer saga has dragged on for over two months already. Some of Europe’s richest clubs have enquired about signing him this summer but the player has remained at Elland Road. Perhaps this means that Leeds United are asking for far too much money.
£40 million is a ridiculously high price tag, but perhaps the club feel they can get a similar figure for the prolific forward as they did for Gray. Like the Englishman, Summerville is still young and has room to grow, but right now suitors are not willing to match Leeds’ valuation. Perhaps the Yorkshire club will drop their asking price before the end of the window next month in order to force a deal through.