Leeds United failed to secure promotion back to the Premier League last season and will now prepare for a second year in the Championship. The Whites lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley last month. This failure could result in some of their top talents leaving Elland Road this summer.
Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly been in contact about signing Daniel Farke’s star forward, Crysencio Summerville. Additionally, Italian winger Wilfried Gnonto is reportedly pushing for a move back to Italy ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Leeds may look to the summer transfer window to find replacements for any key players who depart. They are reportedly interested in a forward who could develop into a player similar to Summerville.
Leeds eyeing swoop for teen sensation
According to GhanaSoccerNet, Leeds are among several teams interested in signing Sogndal winger Edmund Baidoo. The report claims that the Whites are pursuing a deal for the 18-year-old starlet.
Brighton, who are also interested in Summerville, have reportedly made contact with Baidoo and his agents about a potential move to England. Alongside Leeds and Brighton, Scottish giants Celtic and Belgian outfit Club Brugge are also keen on the right-sided attacker, showing that there is plenty of competition for his signature.
Why Edmund Baidoo could be Crysencio Summerville 2.0
Farke could discover a new talent in Baidoo, who appears to be an impressive prospect with the potential to be a significant threat as both a scorer and creator of goals.
Leeds signed Summerville when he was 18, the same age Baidoo is now, in the summer of 2020. It took Summerville until the 2023/24 campaign to fully showcase his abilities in the final third.
Baidoo has averaged a direct goal contribution every 1.21 outings, with 14 in 17 matches. In the Norwegian 1st Division (second-tier) this year, Baidoo has also averaged an impressive 4.9 completed dribbles per game with a success rate of 68%, highlighting his direct and aggressive style of play.
These statistics suggest that Baidoo has the potential to be a Summerville-esque player for Leeds if he can translate his form to English football. Although there is no guarantee, his consistent ability to score and assist goals indicates promise.
Therefore, Baidoo could be a long-term replacement for Summerville and an exciting talent for Farke to develop at Thorp Arch.
