Leeds United star duo to be first out of the door – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness believes Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto could be the first players out of the door following Leeds United’s play-off heartache.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – admitted the Whites are unlikely to receive as much money as they would like to let the attacking duo leave the club this summer.
Football Insider revealed on 26 May that Leeds must recoup an astonishing £150million in player sales following their promotion failure due to the amount owed in unpaid transfer fees.
Summerville caught the eye after claiming the Championship’s Player of the Season award, while Gnonto had a strong second half of the campaign before Daniel Farke’s side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month the West Yorkshire club could be forced to sell some of their prized assets as £73.6million of their outstanding transfer fees are due to be paid by the end of June.
Leeds United to face difficult summer as player sales likely
Wyness believes it’s likely to be a “buyers’ market” this summer and Leeds may have to accept lower offers as they look to balance the books at Elland Road.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think there is going to be a lot of pruning at Leeds despite the parachute payments coming in.
“There is going to have to be some serious players going. Some of those will be some of their stars, the likes of Summerville and Gnonto.
“They are going to be the ones who will command a price and have to go.
“I think they won’t be able to command the highest price they would have hoped for because it’s a buyers’ market this time and that might affect Leeds as well.
“It’s going to be difficult, but I think they still have enough depth to put out a very strong team in the Championship next year.
“But there is going to have to be some players released and costs cut in some way.”
In other news, Leeds plan to accept £12million midfielder bid.
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