Darragh MacAnthony, the owner of Peterborough United, claims Leeds United can ‘ensure’ promotion with one major acquisition this summer.
Given the level of players associated with departures, the Whites will most certainly need to look for marquee reinforcements before the conclusion of the year.
In August, that is expected to happen in the attacking department, with heavy interest in both Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto.
Summerville is coveted by a number of clubs in Europe’s top leagues, the most recent of which being Rennes, and Everton is once again interested in Gnonto.
Losing them both would leave enormous gaps in Leeds’ front four, since they scored a combined 27 goals in the Championship last season.
MacAnthony tells Leeds to buy Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics.
Summerville was selected the Championship POTS for the 2023/24 season, and no matter how much money they can get for him, it will be nearly hard to match his talent.
The 22-year-old wreaked havoc on defenders last season with his quickness, ingenuity, and ability to score from nowhere, so Leeds will have to be creative in replacing him if he leaves.
In an interview with posh.com, Peterborough owner MacAnthony believes he has the ideal solution for those making decisions at Elland Road.
He believes Leeds to go all in on a bid for Blackburn Rovers attacking talent Sammie Szmodics, the Championship’s top scorer with 27 goals.
Szmodics almost single-handedly led Blackburn to safety last season and, according to the Sun, could be available for £15 million if they fail to agree on a new contract.
MacAnthony has urged Leeds to go all out for the 28-year-old this summer, claiming his arrival will ‘ensure’ promotion.
He replied, “Sammie, if I were Leeds United, because they are going to lose some quality, they will do whatever it takes to bring in. He is almost ensuring your advancement because you are purchasing the golden boot winner. That’s my advice for Leeds fans: buy Sammie Szmodics. “Sorry, Blackburn fans.”
Would Szmodics work at Leeds?
Szmodics had a tremendous season at Blackburn, and Leeds are well aware of his ability after his winner at Elland Road in April dashed their promotion ambitions.
He is, of course, a very different type of player than Summerville, as he plays centrally, but he would be an excellent replacement for his goals.
Having said that, Blackburn’s approach is effectively designed to get the most out of Szmodics, something Leeds just cannot accomplish.
Szmodics is not an obvious number nine or ten, and Daniel Farke has already seen how tough it can be to accommodate that type of player in Joel Piroe, who was signed after a successful two years at Swansea City.
As a result, it would probably be imprudent to spend the money Blackburn wants unless they completely restructure their attacking options and strategy.
