Report: Wayne Rooney and Chris Wilder to Compete with Leeds for ‘Magical’ £12m Premier League Player

Leeds United are in the market for new wingers this summer after losing Jaidon Anthony and Ian Poveda. Additionally, Leeds could sell Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville.

Everton are reportedly ‘progressing well’ in talks to sign Gnonto in a deal that would involve an initial payment of £20m, with an additional £5m in add-ons. Carlton Palmer believes this sale benefits all parties involved.

Meanwhile, West Ham have approached Summerville, and Roma are also in talks to acquire the Dutch star after he won The Championship’s Player of the Season award. Manchester United is also said to be interested.

Leeds, therefore, may need a new winger. Over the weekend, Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi emerged as a loan target, though Southampton is trying to sign him permanently and made an initial £7m offer, which was rejected.

The Saints then increased their offer to £12m. However, Palace prefers to send him on loan, giving Leeds the chance to secure Rak-Sakyi temporarily.

According to the South London Press, 18 of the 24 Championship clubs are interested in Rak-Sakyi on loan, with Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United and Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth among the possible suitors.

Roy Hodgson described Rak-Sakyi as “magical,” highlighting the winger’s contribution of 22 goals while on loan at Charlton during the 2022-23 season. Despite this, Rak-Sakyi only played eight senior games for Palace last term.

Despite Palace’s preference to loan him out and keep him permanently, Rak-Sakyi reportedly wants a move to Southampton, where Russell Martin continues to spend heavily.

The Saints have already spent over £50m, including permanent deals for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes. Whether Palace will sanction a permanent exit for Rak-Sakyi remains to be seen.