There was a time, when discussing the prospect of a Leeds United star linking up one the rising midfield talents in European football, when it felt as if departure from Elland Road would need to occur before the two players could share a dressing room.
But not these days.
After putting Leeds United one big step closer to a return to the Premier League on Easter Monday – Crysencio Summerville won and then converted the penalty which put Daniel Farke’s side in front against Hull City at Elland Road – the chances of the dazzling Dutchman sticking around for at least one more season were also given a rather big boost.
With a staggering 18 goals this season, Leeds’ hopes of retaining Summerville’s services likely rest on whether promotion can be achieved. With only six games to go, however, Leeds are second in the table, and their fate rests largely in their own hands.
Leeds ace backing Prem switch for Tottenham target
Summerville could be joined in England’s top flight by a player who knows well from the international game next term, too. HITC understands that Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are both keeping a very close on his Netherlands Under-21 team-mate Quinten Timber.
Timber was always a midfielder full of potential. Feyenoord paid a club-record fee to bring him to De Kuip from Utrecht back in 2022, after all. But Summerville is not the only one taken aback by the sheer pace of his progress under Arne Slot, Timber more than doubling his previous career-best goals’ tally while providing a further seven assists from his box-crashing number eight position.
“Actually I’m just surprised by Timber because he’s doing really great,” Summerville tells Voetbal Primeur of a player who’s twin brother, Jurrien, joined Arsenal for £38 million from Ajax a year ago.
“He has really found his niche and is developing into a top player. That really makes me feel good. I hope (he gets his move to the Premier League).
“Then, he will also meet his brother. That would be really nice.”
Newcastle United’s Joelinton replacement
Tottenham could be in for another re-jigging of their squad this summer as they look to construct a side more au fait with Ange Postecoglou’s demands. The interest in Timber – hailed by Dutch icon Wesley Sneijder and handed his first ever senior cap last month – could pave the way for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s departure.
Tottenham are also keen on Wolves’ Joao Gomes and Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek.
At Newcastle, meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s side are at their most devastating when their energetic midfielders are making those barnstorming runs into the penalty area. Timber could take over from Joelinton as contract talks with the Brazilian continue to stall.
Not so long ago, meanwhile, Feyenoord coach Slot ruled out the prospect of reuniting Summerville – who came through the club’s academy – with Timber in Rotterdam. The Leeds talisman is simply ‘too expensive’ these days.
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