Unsurprisingly, there’s already been speculation suggesting that Leeds United could look at signing Crysencio Summerville from West Ham.
If you’d have seen that West Ham beat Leeds 3-0 on the final day without any further context of the season before it, you may have thought that result would consign United to the Championship.
However, it was ultimately a dead rubber for Leeds because we’d already stayed up. Instead, that result did nothing to stop the Irons from dropping back into the Championship after 14 years in the top flight.
Leeds United loosely linked with Crysencio Summerville transfer swoop after West Ham relegation
It’s a full circle moment for Leeds to relegate West Ham. Just under two years ago, Leeds failed to win the playoff final and saw the Irons poach Crysencio Summerville for £25million in the following August.
Now, the Dutchman’s club is heading to the EFL as Leeds stay in the Premier League. However, it’s highly likely that Summerville won’t kick a ball in the Championship.
Having already proven he was too good for the Championship with Leeds, it’s claimed by Sportsboom that Leeds want to re-sign the tricky left-winger.
Reliability here is obviously up for debate. But, beyond the source itself, do Leeds need a left-winger that will come at significant cost, and would be unlikely to displace Noah Okafor as our starting wide man on that side?
Forget Summerville: Leeds United could look at West Ham centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos
I highly doubt Leeds would be interested in signing Summerville for the fee that it would take. But, there ought to be consideration at who else would be worth it in West Ham’s squad.
Whenever I saw West Ham lineups this season, I did wonder how on earth they’ve managed to be relegated. There’s quality from back to front that should’ve kept them up.
Starting at centre-back. Yes, their defence has been woeful and the fact their goal difference was so low relative to Spurs’ emphasises how the structure wasn’t good enough.
But, Konstantinos Mavropanos proved he was a cut above competing in a relegation side, and adds a differential quality that Leeds would love in a back three – his height and aerial dominance.
Playing on the right side of their centre-back partnership, Mavropanos would provide real competition and potentially displace Joe Rodon, providing a real presence alongside Jaka Bijol.
With Pascal Struijk not definitely staying, and Sebastiaan Bornauw linked with an exit, centre-backs have to be on the agenda. Mavropanos could be a great market opportunity for Leeds at the back.
Leeds United could add support to Dominic Calvert-Lewin with West Ham, Taty Castellanos swoop too
At the other end of the pitch, Taty Castellanos has really confused me as a player. I just cannot tell whether he’s a world-beater or just not that good.
The Argentine has moments where you’re blown away by his ability, scoring that thunderbolt at Newcastle, and rising highest against us with the opening goal from a corner. But, his nine big chances missed in half a season is part of the reason why he’s subject to mixed reviews from Irons fans.
What is abundantly clear is that despite not fitting our 6ft-plus recruitment model, he’s ‘got that dawg in him’ for what of a better term. Centre-backs know they’re in a game against him, his pressing is strong, his hold-up play is good, and he can strike a football with some venom.
Another facet of his game that I’ve liked is that he can link play well as part of a strike partnership. Putting him up top with Dominic Calvert-Lewin could bring the best out of both.
West Ham will want to retain the 27-year-old at all costs, you’d anticipate, so they’ll likely want most of their £26million fee back.
Castellanos netted six goals in 1395 Premier League minutes, equating to 0.39 goals per 90. Such a scoring rate is just behind Calvert-Lewin (0.46) and Noah Okafor (0.42), but it’s above the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers.
Should the price be right, Leeds could supplement Calvert-Lewin well with Castellanos.
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