Peterborough United’s owner, Darragh MacAnthony, has suggested that Leeds United can secure promotion by making a crucial signing this summer. According to MacAnthony, Leeds’ best chance for a return to the Premier League hinges on acquiring Blackburn Rovers’ attacking star, Sammie Szmodics.
As Leeds United braces for potential departures of key players like Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, they are expected to be active in the transfer market. Both Summerville and Gnonto are attracting significant interest from top European clubs, with Rennes reportedly eyeing Summerville and Everton interested in Gnonto. The duo’s exit would create substantial gaps in Leeds’ attacking lineup, considering their combined tally of 27 goals in the Championship last season.
Summerville, in particular, was a standout performer, earning the Championship Player of the Season award for the 2023/24 campaign. His pace, skill, and knack for scoring made him a crucial asset for Leeds. Replacing a player of his caliber would be a daunting task, regardless of the transfer fee they might receive.
In an interview with The Posh, MacAnthony suggested that Leeds should target Szmodics, who topped the Championship scoring charts with 27 goals. Szmodics played a pivotal role in Blackburn Rovers’ campaign, effectively carrying the team to safety. According to The Sun, Szmodics could be available for £15 million if he does not secure a new contract with Blackburn.
MacAnthony believes Szmodics’ acquisition would be a game-changer for Leeds, asserting that his arrival would virtually guarantee their promotion. He emphasized the importance of this move, stating, “Sammie, if I were at Leeds United, is the player they need to bring in. He is pretty much guaranteeing you promotion because you’re buying the golden boot winner. That’s my tip, Leeds fans, you should be buying Sammie Szmodics. Sorry Blackburn fans.”
Szmodics’ performance last season was remarkable, including a memorable winner against Leeds at Elland Road, which significantly impacted their promotion bid. Despite his success, Szmodics is a different type of player compared to Summerville. He operates more centrally, unlike Summerville, who excels on the wings.
However, integrating Szmodics into Leeds’ current system could pose challenges. Blackburn’s strategy was heavily built around maximizing Szmodics’ strengths, a luxury Leeds might not afford. Szmodics is neither a traditional number nine nor a ten, which could complicate his fit within Leeds’ squad, particularly under the management of Daniel Farke, who faced similar challenges accommodating Joel Piroe after his transfer from Swansea City.
Therefore, while Szmodics presents an attractive option, Leeds must carefully consider whether investing the substantial sum Blackburn demands is wise, especially if it necessitates a significant overhaul of their attacking setup.
