Leeds United and West Brom 'eye' title-winning defender as Liverpool make shock Crysencio Summerville decision

Leeds United have just one week before the summer transfer window opens and they can begin to strengthen for another long and gruelling Championship promotion push. The scars are beginning to heal - literally, for Dan James - on last month’s play-off final defeat against Southampton and supporters can at least look forward to another campaign challenging for the title, rather than trying to stave off Premier League relegation.

This summer will not be without its tough moments, however, and chairman Paraag Marathe has already warned that sales will be likely as Leeds continue to comply with profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). There will be plenty of ins and outs as those in charge at Elland Road build for another strong season and the YEP has rounded up some of the latest stories surrounding the club.

Defensive reinforcements eyed

Leeds are one of two Championship clubs thought to be interested in St. Pauli defender Eric Smith. Swedish outlet Aftonbladet reports that Smith is on the radar of Daniel Farke’s side and their likely Championship promotion rivals, West Bromwich Albion.

Smith was a regular feature for St. Pauli this season, playing 26 times as his side won the 2. Bundesliga title and returned to the German top-flight for the first time in 22 years. A versatile defensive option, the Sweden-born 27-year-old can operate on either side of the centre-back partnership as well as in defensive midfield.

Leeds will likely be in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer, with Joe Rodon returning to parent club Tottenham, who will only look to sell if they can get at least £15m, while Liam Cooper currently looks set to leave as a free agent when his contract expires. Charlie Cresswell could also decide to move on in search of more regular football, leaving only Pascal Struijk as a natural option, while Ethan Ampadu is also comfortable dropping in.

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Liverpool’s Summerville stance

Liverpool look set to end their immediate interest in Crysencio Summerville as they turn focus to Crystal Palace star Michael Olise. Leeds Live reports that despite being early front-runners and appointing fellow Dutchman Arne Slot as manager, they will now look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements with priorities leaning more towards a right-winger.

Summerville is continuing to attract interest from a host of top-flight clubs in England and across Europe, with a best-ever individual season of 21 goals and 10 assists earning him the Championship’s Player of the Season Award. Liverpool were one of the early names to emerge and have since been joined by Chelsea, Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen among others.

But with the priority being to source a successor to Mohamed Salah, those in charge at Anfield would prefer someone naturally suited to cutting in from the right and so focus is now on Palace talisman Olise. Chelsea are now thought to be leading the race for Summerville, with new manager Enzo Maresca a big fan, having faced the 22-year-old twice as Leicester boss last season.