Graham Smyth shares what Leeds have to say about trying to keep hold of Crysencio Summerville this summer

The 22-year-old went against the grain by staying put this time last year despite bids of up to £20m from Premier League sides being rejected.

That decision proved to be a good one as far as Summerville was concerned, as a return of 19 goals and nine assists in the regular season saw him crowned the POTS of the Championship.

However, without promotion, those levels of performance are bound to attract interest and there is certainly no shortage of people for him in the top flight.

Smyth shares a behind-the-scenes update on Summerville

Leeds have yet to receive any ‘formal approaches’ for Summerville, although the window only officially opened today.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Brighton are just a few of the clubs reportedly keen to sign him this summer and a price tag of around £30m has been set.

Summerville will not try to force an exit from Leeds, but as Paraag Marathe hinted earlier this month, the reality is that some key players will have to leave.

And according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth, Summerville feels “the most likely” of those, with Leeds showing no “determination to keep him” right now.

He wrote: “Crysencio Summerville looks the most likely departure for a number of reasons. First, it’s good enough. He proved last season that he was better than most defenders in the Championship and is destined to play in the top flight somewhere.

“Secondly, the money. Leeds paid something like £1.5m for him and could get something like £30m or even £35m for him. The profit margin will look very, very good when it comes to the P&S margin.

“Summerville made a smart decision last summer to stay and become a main man at Leeds and if he had gone up I could have seen a new contract at Elland Road. Now, however, I see a way out.

“No one at Leeds is making any noise about the decision to keep him. And as good as he was last season, with little money to spend I could see him replaced – as long as the replacement brings goals and they get them from midfield and other areas as well.”

Chelsea’s transfer could set off the Leeds transfer domino

While Chelsea are one of the clubs said to be interested in Summerville, it is actually a move for another winger that could set off the transfer domino that Leeds need to topple this summer.

Chelsea appear to be in a strong position to win the race for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise and Summerville could be someone the Eagles could switch for.

With that in mind, if Chelsea can get a deal done quickly for Olise, they could see Palace knocking on Leeds’ door soon enough to start talks over a deal for the Dutchman.

A £60m release clause has been mentioned for Olise and knowing the amount they would have to spend to replace him would put Leeds in a strong position at the negotiating table.

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