“if I was Leeds United, I would be signing him, He is pretty much guaranteeing you promotion”- Peterborough owner urges Leeds to sign £15m striker this summer as he says player would guarantee Whites PL promotion

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony says Leeds United can ‘guarantee’ themselves promotion with one key signing this summer.

The Whites are likely to have to be in the market for marquee reinforcements before the end of the window given the calibre of player being linked with moves away. Heading into August, that is expected to come in the attacking department amid strong interest in both Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto.

Summerville is wanted by various clubs across Europe’s top-flight leagues, the most recent of which is Rennes, while Gnonto is again of interest to Everton. Losing them both would be huge holes to fill in Leeds’ front four, given they scored a combined 27 goals in the Championship last season.

Summerville was named the Championship POTS for the 2023/24 campaign and regardless of the fee they are able to bring in for him, it is going to be virtually impossible to replace his quality.

The 22-year-old had so many defenders on toast last term with his pace, trickery and ability to score out of nothing, and so Leeds are going to have to be clever in how they replace him, if he does go.

Speaking in an interview with the posh.com, Peterborough owner MacAnthony believes he has the perfect solution to those making the decisions at Elland Road.

He thinks Leeds simply have to go all in for a move for Blackburn Rovers attacking star Sammie Szmodics, who was the Championship’s top marksman with 27 goals.

Szmodics practically single-handedly carried Blackburn to safety last season and according to the Sun, could be available for £15 million if they fail to agree a new contract. MacAnthony has urged Leeds to go all out for the 28-year-old this summer as his arrival would be ‘guaranteeing’ them promotion.

He said: “Sammie, if I was a Leeds United i would be signing him because they are going to lose some talent, doing what they have to do 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 enjoyed an incredible season at Blackburn and Leeds know all too well the quality he possesses after his winner at Elland Road in April put a huge dent in their promotion hopes.

He is, of course, a much different type of player to the likes of Summerville given that he plays centrally, but would be a good replacement for his goals.

Having said that, Blackburn’s system is effectively built around Szmodics to get the best out of him, and Leeds simply would not be able to do that.

Szmodics is neither an out-and-out number nine or 10, and Daniel Farke already knows how difficult it can be to accommodate that type of player in Joel Piroe, who was signed after a prolific two years at Swansea City.

As such, it would probably be unwise to splash the sort of cash Blackburn are wanting unless they have a complete overhaul of their attacking options and system.