Leeds United are expected to make changes this summer having missed out on an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Whites were desperate to win promotion and head straight back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Daniel Farke couldn’t quite get Leeds over the line in the automatic promotion race and then suffered playoff heartbreak.
Leeds lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton and must now pick themselves up and go again.
Fans are expecting signings to arrive this summer in order to try and get over the line next season – but Leeds will need to move some players out too.
Sonny Perkins on his way out of Leeds United
We have already seen Leeds release the likes of Lewis Bate, Luke Ayling and Ian Poveda but fans are just hoping that Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray stick around.
Leeds have invested plenty of money in signing developmental players in recent times but not everybody can be a success like Summerville.
Bate and Poveda are perfect examples; talents brought in from top Premier League clubs who ended up being loaned out and then let go.
Sonny Perkins may now be on that very same path after joining Leeds from West Ham United back in 2022.
Perkins had broken into the West Ham side but decided to leave at the end of his contract to join Leeds.
The Hammers were furious at the time, suggesting that Perkins had been tapped up whilst blasting his representatives.
It’s fair to say that the move hasn’t paid off just yet; Perkins has made just four first-team appearances for Leeds and made no impact on loan at Oxford United last season.
Now 20, Perkins is off on loan again – and this time he has joined a former club.
Perkins actually started out with Leyton Orient and the League One club have now confirmed a season-long loan deal for the forward.
Returning to Orient will hopefully get Perkins back on track and it’s fair to say that he is excited about the move having spoken to director of football Martin Ling.
“It’s really special to be back. I’ve been here so many times in the stands and as a ballboy, and I’m looking forward to getting out on the pitch in front of the fans for the first time,” said Perkins.
“I’ve spoke a lot to Lingy and we laughed about how he sold me as a 14-year-old. Having people who have known me for a long time made the decision easier to come back here. After speaking with Richie, and knowing where he sees the club and the team going, along with how well they played last couple of years, it’s really encouraging.”
“I want to help the club push forward as much as possible. I’d love to bring energy and hope to the club and see us push for as good of a season as we can do,” he added.
Once praised as an ‘explosive’ talent by Jesse Marsch, Perkins hasn’t quite been able to break through at Elland Road.
Having come in for criticism for making that move in the first place, Perkins will want to really shine next season and finally make an impact at Leeds moving forward – or he will end up going the same way as Bate and Poveda.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
