West Ham now set to beat Leeds United to sign Brazil’s ‘most creative’ attacker

Leeds are in desperate need of adding star quality to their wide options this summer with speculation mounting around the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto. Jaidon Anthony is also back at Bournemouth.

Summerville is expected to leave Elland Road amid interest from a number of Premier League sides, while Gnonto has also been linked with a return to Italy.

With an asking price of £30m for the former, Leeds should have some decent money to spend on a potential replacement who needs to be of significant quality.

Leeds are making a bid for Fluminense star Jhon Arias

At this stage, it remains uncertain what kind of budget Daniel Farke will have to spend this summer, although Paraag Marathe has insisted funds will be available.

One thing’s for sure, Leeds won’t be able to replace Summerville on the cheap after a stellar season that saw him crowned Championship POTS.

And according to RTI Esporte, Leeds have reportedly made a bid worth around £12.7m for Fluminense striker Jhon Arias.

Arias is a player Leeds have been linked with for several months and reports surfaced in October that he was someone on the club’s radar.

However, according to the report, it is West Ham who are currently leading the race with their proposal “superior” to other interested clubs, with negotiations at an “advanced stage”.

Arias was named Brazil’s “most creative” player

Arias is currently in Colombia’s squad alongside former Leeds winger Luis Sinisterra, ready to represent his country at the upcoming Copa America.

He also started and scored in a 5-1 friendly win over USA last week for Brenden Aaronson, who is set to make Leeds’ squad for next season.

Arias is the type of player who looks set to fill the void left by Summerville, with Diario AS describing him as the “most creative” player in Brazilian football.

In 59 appearances in all competitions for Fluminense last season, he scored 11 goals and provided 17 assists.

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