Reports: Leeds must take £1.5 million for loan star, with no transfer decision made yet

Leeds United: £1.5 million. An update on Sam Greenwood’s permanent transfer to Middlesbrough

According to Teeside Live, Leeds United will be compelled to accept Middlesbrough’s £1.5 million bid for Sam Greenwood during the summer transfer window.

On Thursday (4 April), the source stated on its website that Middlesbrough‘s loan agreement with the Whites for the offensive midfielder included a permanent option worth £1.5 million.

This provision requires Daniel Farke‘s side to accept such a bid if Michael Carrick‘s squad pursues the 22-year-old after his loan term at the Riverside, during which he made 34 league games.

Middlesbrough have yet to decide whether or not to pursue Greenwood permanently, and even if they do, he will still have to agree to terms on a new deal, which could include a pay cut.

Will Sam Greenwood quit Leeds United and permanently move to Middlesbrough?

Early in his loan tenure, a lot of analysts and supporters argued that Leeds United had made a mistake by allowing Greenwood to leave Elland Road on a temporary basis, given his strong start at the Riverside.

However, the 22-year-old’s form has fallen slightly in the second half of the season, while the Whites have gone from strength to strength in 2024, looking nearly certain to earn immediate promotion under Farke.

With players like Dan James, Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, and Georginio Rutter impressing on a weekly basis at Elland Road, it’s difficult to see where Greenwood would have fit in.

While a £1.5 million fee isn’t ideal for a player of his calibre, it’s preferable than having a man sit on the bench, chewing up salaries without playing. Leeds would like to make more money from his sale, but they may have to accept what they can get.

Hopefully, Greenwood finishes the season strong and generates additional transfer interest in the remaining weeks of the competition.