Leeds United have had to lose some of their best talent since failing to secure promotion to the Premier League last season.
Academy graduate and Championship Young Player of the Year Archie Gray was the first major departure from Elland Road when he moved to Tottenham Hotspur, with Glen Kamara soon following with a permanent move to Rennes.
Now the Whites are set to cash in on League Two player of the year as Crysencio Summerville has agreed to join top-flight West Ham United for £25million.
The Dutch striker’s expected exit will leave Daniel Farke’s side short of options in wide areas, with Leeds reportedly in the hunt for a Premier League winger.
Leeds are eyeing the Premier League winger
The Whites are one of a number of teams interested in Crystal Palace gem Jesurun Rak-Sayki, according to Sky Sports Transfer Center (01/08/2024).
The report claims Championship rivals Burnley and Sheffield United are also keen on loaning the Eagles youngster this summer.
It says Premier League side Southampton are negotiating a permanent deal for the services of the left-footed star, but Palace want to send him out on loan to continue his development next season.
If Leeds win the race for his signature for the 2024/25 campaign, Rak-Sakyi could help Farke forget about Summerville with his potential attacking quality on the flank.
Why Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could be a good signing for Leeds
The 21-year-old is a right-winger and can line up on that side of the attack, which would then allow Wilfried Gnont to play on the left – cutting inside onto his favored right foot.
It will take a lot to replace Summerville, who had 19 goals and nine assists last season in the league, but Rak-Sakyi’s form at youth level and his 2022/23 loan at Charlton suggest he has the potential to be a great replacement.
As you can see in the table above, Rak-Sakyi caught the eye as a goalscorer and goalscorer in the Third Division during his time at Charlton.
The England ace also scored an eye-catching 24 goals and eight assists in 40 games at U21 level for Palace and eight goals and eight assists in 17 games at U18 level.
Those stats suggest that the £5.1k-a-week guide can replace Summerville’s goals and assists, or at least come close, if he can carry that form into the Championship next term.
Rak-Sakyi, described as “outstanding” by Roy Hodgson, was then able to help Farke forget the Dutch wizard by coming in and providing an exciting attacking spark alongside Gnont, Dan James, Mateo Joseph and Georginio Rutter. season.