JUST IN: Leeds Poised for a Windfall with Potential Sale of Key Player Valued Higher than Raphinha

May 20, 2024 Michael Mills other 0

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Leeds United will be determined not to falter at the final hurdle in their quest for promotion back to the Premier League, as the prospect of another season in the Championship looms if they fall short. Their playoff final opponents are expected to pose a significant challenge, especially after Southampton’s victory at Elland Road on the last matchday, indicating their intent to disrupt Leeds’ ambitions on the grand stage in London.Should Russell Martin’s team secure promotion at the expense of Daniel Farke’s side, there may be a significant player exodus in West Yorkshire. Players like Georginio Rutter and Illan Meslier are rumored to be among those who could be offloaded in a potential post-Wembley restructuring if Leeds face disappointment in the playoff final.

Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville, who was signed by Leeds from Feyenoord in 2020 for a relatively low fee, could also be among the players sold if Leeds fail to gain promotion. This would be a significant loss for the club, as Summerville has since been named the Championship Player of the Season, a testament to his impressive performances and growth since joining Leeds. Leeds’ acquisition of Summerville has proven to be a shrewd piece of business, with the young Dutchman now being valued much higher than the initial fee paid to Feyenoord. However, if Leeds are unable to secure promotion to the Premier League, they may be forced to cash in on their prized assets, including Summerville, to balance the books and prepare for another season in the Championship.

The potential sale of Summerville would be a major disappointment for Leeds fans, who have witnessed the player’s development and have high hopes for his future at the club. Nevertheless, the financial realities of football may dictate that tough decisions need to be made if Leeds fall short of their ultimate goal of returning to the top flight.

Summerville’s transfer to Leeds

When Summerville first arrived at Elland Road four years ago as a relatively unknown player from the Netherlands, few could have predicted his significant impact on the Leeds squad near the top of the Championship. Signed for a modest fee of £1.3 million during Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure as manager, Leeds had optimistic expectations that this transfer could turn out to be a remarkable bargain, given Summerville’s impressive performances in Feyenoord’s youth teams prior to joining Leeds, where he initially featured for the U23s.

 

Summerville’s numbers at Feyenoord
Team Games played Goals Assists
Feyenoord U21s 2 0 1
Feyenoord U19s 13 0 2
Feyenoord U17s 22 5 3
                 Sourced by Neroworldwide

After settling into his new environment in West Yorkshire, Summerville quickly adapted to his previously unfamiliar surroundings in England. He made a significant impact by registering an impressive 16 goal contributions from 30 matches while playing for Leeds’ U23 team. This success paved the way for Summerville to transition to the first team, as he outgrew youth football and earned opportunities to feature in six Premier League matches during the 2021/22 season under Bielsa.

It wasn’t until the following season that the dynamic Leeds winger truly made his mark on professional football, with a standout goal scored at Anfield propelling him into the spotlight. Consequently, Summerville’s market value continued to soar, and Leeds now view the modest £1.3 million they invested to acquire him in 2020 with a sense of amusement.

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Feyenoord, on the other hand, are unlikely to find the situation amusing, as they now regret allowing their homegrown talent to depart when he was just 18 years old. The once unassuming teenager is now reportedly attracting interest from numerous Premier League clubs ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite Bielsa’s role in nurturing Summerville and handing him his Leeds debut, the winger’s breakout performances came under the management of Jesse Marsch, who took over at Elland Road. All four of Summerville’s Premier League goals to date were scored during Marsch’s tenure, including the dramatic late winner at Anfield, which marked Virgil van Dijk’s first home defeat as a Liverpool player.

Describing the goal as a moment that still gives him “goosebumps” upon replay, Summerville’s impact extends beyond that memorable strike, evident in his performance this season as Leeds strive for swift promotion back to the Premier League.The agile playmaker has amassed an impressive 31 goal contributions from 48 matches, highlighted by his crucial fourth goal against Norwich in the play-off second leg. As Leeds aim for redemption and a return to the top flight, Summerville looks to enhance his impressive tally further when Southampton and Leeds clash at Wembley later this month.
As Summerville’s valuation continues to rise, reports suggest that if Leeds were to sell him to address financial concerns, they would secure a substantial profit on a player they scouted from the Netherlands and developed into a standout performer. His current market worth surpasses that of former Leeds star Raphinha, who commanded a fee of £55 million when he transferred to Barcelona in 2022, as indicated by Transfer market. According to a report by football journalist Craig Hope in the Daily Mail, Leeds would seek a fee of around £30 million or more to entertain the idea of selling Summerville.
Contrary reports suggest that Summerville’s valuation could be as high as £45 million, exceeding Raphinha’s £42 million valuation in Spain. Despite Raphinha’s slightly lower value and fewer goal contributions this season, the comparison may serve as a reminder to Summerville that departing for more lucrative opportunities elsewhere does not always guarantee a better outcome.
Regardless of the final sale price, Leeds can take comfort in knowing that they will make a profit on their 22-year-old standout player, Summerville, if they are forced to part ways with him. However, the club will be keen to hold onto their “outstanding” talent, as described by Farke earlier this year, particularly if they achieve promotion. They recognize that Summerville’s dynamic performances could reach even greater heights with the step-up to the Premier League, making him an invaluable asset for the team’s future success.
Summerville’s transfer value over the years
2024 £17.1m
2023 £6.1m
2022 £3m
2021 £1.4m
2020 £1.3m
Sourced by Neroworldwide
Leeds would likely prefer to part ways with a player like Patrick Bamford rather than Summerville, fully cognizant that the 22-year-old winger has the potential to score many more than his current tally of four Premier League goals.Summerville may have the chance to showcase his talent with or without Leeds, depending on whether they achieve promotion. If successful, Leeds could look forward to a promising future, but failure to gain promotion would leave them in a precarious position. In that scenario, their talented squad could be vulnerable to being dismantled by other clubs looking to acquire their star players.

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