This summer already looks set to be a busy one at Leeds United as the club look to consolidate their Premier League status once again and learn from last season’s mistakes. Brendan Aaronson arrived just days after the season ended for around £25million, while Danish right-back Rasmus Kristensen looks set to follow him from RB Salzburg in the coming days for just short of £10million.
The Whites are known to be in the market for at least two more first-team options, namely a striker to compete with Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt plus a central midfielder to add depth to the position that needs it most. There could also be some significant outgoings, with both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha attracting interest from Europe’s elite including Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona - the departure of one or both of them will likely be met with further incomings.
With all that big-name activity, it’s easy to forget about some of the club’s fringe players. Leeds will be adding to the squad - in terms of numbers and quality - much more than they plan to take away, but a leveling-up of the core group is likely to push the fringes further away.
READ MORE: Leeds United close in on second summer signing as 'deal agreed' for defender ahead of £10m move
That means that there will be several of the younger crop in search of minutes. The under-23s can only offer so much, especially now their football is played in the Premier League 2 Division 2 - a league that proved a walk in the park when they were promoted in 2021. Those players will be keen on a move away from Elland Road on loan, and no doubt there will be plenty of suitors.
Here are three players who could benefit from a loan move away.
Charlie Cresswell
The 19-year-old defender is set for talks with Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta about his immediate future at the club once he returns from international duty with England under-21s.
He made his debut at home to West Ham under Marcelo Bielsa and featured four times last season, but finds himself behind Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk in the pecking order - and last week he opened up about his future.
“Ultimately, I would like to play more football, whether that be a loan or that be at Leeds. We’ll see.” Cresswell said while away on England duty.
The teenager is now in need of further senior minutes, with a demotion back down to under-23s second-division football off the cards - a move to the Championship should provide exactly that, with Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield Town an obvious option.
Cody Drameh
If anyone has proved the value of forcing a loan move and picking up minutes then it’s Cody Drameh. The 20-year-old, frustrated by the lack of opportunity as Bielsa stayed loyal to experienced players, pushed to move away and eventually signed for Cardiff in January.
And, despite only being there for half a season, he won the club’s Player of the Year for his 22 appearances in blue and attracted interest from a host of other clubs.
The imminent arrival of Rasmus Kristensen will no doubt have angered Drameh, but another move away and a step up from mid-table Championship must be the best option for all parties.
Nottingham Forest are on the lookout for an attacking right-back following the return of Djed Spence to Middlesbrough and would be a perfect step up to top-tier football under a brilliant manager like Steve Cooper.
Crysencio Summerville
There were rumours in January that the Dutch winger wanted to leave the club altogether, frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities and feeling under-appreciated by Marcelo Bielsa.
Six goals and an assist in 13 under-23s games is proof that youth football is no longer challenging the 20-year-old, and how much game-time he could get for the first team really depends on incomings.
Summerville could be the long-term successor to Raphinha, but he needs minutes under his belt if he is to develop in senior football.
A move back abroad could broaden the winger’s horizons, with top-tier Dutch, French or Spanish football a viable option.
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