Keith Wyness, Everton’s former manager, believes Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto could be the first players to go following Leeds United’s play-off defeat.
Speaking on the latest episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old, who was CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now runs a football consultancy that advises elite clubs, admitted the Whites are unlikely to receive as much money as they would like to let the attacking duo leave this summer.
On May 26, Football Insider revealed that Leeds must recuperate an astronomical £150 million in player sales as a result of their promotion failure due to outstanding transfer payments.
Summerville drew the eye after winning the Championship’s Player of the Season title, while Gnonto had a good second half of the season before Daniel Farke’s team lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final.
Football Insider reported earlier this month that the West Yorkshire club may be forced to sell some of its prized assets as £73.6 million in overdue transfer payments are expected to be paid by the end of June.
Leeds United may face a difficult summer as player sales are expected.
Wyness believes it will be a “buyers’ market” this summer, and Leeds may have to accept lower offers to balance the books at Elland Road.
He told Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast: “I believe there will be a lot of pruning at Leeds despite the parachute payments coming in.
“There will need to be some significant players. Some of these will be their stars, such as Summerville and Gnonto.
“They will be the ones who demand a price and be forced to go.
“I believe they will be unable to obtain the biggest price they had planned for because it is a buyers’ market at the moment, which may also harm Leeds.
“It will be challenging, but I believe they still have the depth to field a very formidable team in the Championship next year.
“But there is going to have to be some players released and costs cut in some way.”
