Ex-Leeds United star on Aston Villa transfer radar as key rivals agree two-year deal for Newcastle United exit
The latest transfer news surrounding some of Leeds United’s key Premier League rivals and one former player.
Leeds United return to action this weekend when they face Wrexham in Tampa, ending a nine-week break from club football. Their meeting with the Championship outfit kicks off at 12.30am on Sunday morning UK time and could be an opportunity for fans to get their first look at Harry Wilson.
A debut for Tarik Muharemovic might take a little longer, given he was at the World Cup with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Leeds fans might hope another fresh face could join Daniel Farke’s squad in the US. Elland Road chiefs are hard at work and looking to build on an impressive start to the summer.
While Leeds work on their own targets, a host of key Premier League rivals are taking big steps forward to strengthen their squads ahead of next season. Below, the YEP takes a look at some of the major stories from across the division - including interest in one former Elland Road star.
Aston Villa join Crysencio Summerville race
Aston Villa are the latest side to express an interest in former Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to leave West Ham following relegation. Fabrizio Romano reports the Midlands side have an eye on the Dutchman following Morgan Rogers’ imminent British-record £117m transfer to Chelsea.
Interest in Summerville has started to intensify following the Netherlands' World Cup exit, with Manchester United interested but AS Roma out in front. The Serie A side reportedly had a bid worth €46m (£39m) rejected by West Ham, with the player himself keen on a move.
Summerville left Leeds for West Ham in 2024 following a season in which he registered 20 goals and nine assists across the campaign, enough to earn him the Championship Player of the Year Award. The 24-year-old hit five goals and two assists in the Premier League for relegated West Ham last season.
Double Hull City swoop
Leeds’ new rivals for the 2026/27 season Hull City are reportedly eyeing a double Premier League swoop with interest in Newcastle United and Aston Villa stars. The Tigers won promotion from the play-offs last season with help from 15-goal loanee Joe Gelhardt, who is believed to be open to a permanent move.
According to Hull Live, the newly-promoted club have agreed a deal to sign experienced full-back Matt Targett, who left Newcastle following the expiration of his contract earlier this summer. The Athletic also report a move for Aston Villa and Jamaica winger Leon Bailey is being eyed.
It remains to be seen what the latter report means for Gelhardt, with Bailey tending to play at right-wing where the Leeds loanee was most effective on loan last season. Elland Road chiefs are expected to cash in on the 24-year-old’s impressive 2025/26 campaign with a sale this summer.
Ipswich close in on Leicester star
Another team climbing from Championship to Premier League is Ipswich Town and the Tractor Boys are reportedly close to building on a fast start to the summer. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, they have verbally agreed a £20m fee with Leicester City for winger Abdul Fatawu.
The 22-year-old is expected to undergo medical tests this week ahead of the move, having been part of a Leicester side who last season were relegated to League One - thanks in part to a six-point deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Leeds have decided to take legal action regarding that breach.
Fatawu registered nine goals and seven assists in the Championship last season and played 11 times during Leicester’s Premier League relegation campaign in 2024/25. Ipswich signed Toulouse striker Emersonn for around £27m earlier this summer and have been linked with a £4m move for 22-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Kayne Oevlen.