Leeds United given free run at 'target' after 'talks collapse' while Everton 'not interested' in winger

Fulham winger Bobby De Cordova-Reid is reportedly attracting interest from Leeds United amid claims his contract discussions with the Craven Cottage outfit have broken down.

The Premier League side have confirmed the departures of nine players following the end of their contracts but revealed they were still in talks with De Cordova-Reid over extending his stay in West London, with his current deal up at the end of this month. The Jamaican international arrived at Craven Cottage in August 2019 on loan, before sealing a permanent switch in January 2020. He started his career with Bristol City before moving to Cardiff City in 2018 for a reported £10m.

TEAMtalk reported his talks over a new two-year deal have broken down with Leeds and Everton said to be interested in the versatile winger who can play on the right and left as well as through the middle either as an attacking midfielder or at centre forward. It is unclear if the Whites would move for the player but with the club needing to sell some of their squad to stay on the right side of profit and sustainability rules, there is an expectation that the likes Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto will leave Elland Road.

Summerville has been linked with a host of club’s already with Liverpool, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and even Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen all reportedly expressing an interest.

Leeds are likely to be in the market for a new winger and De Cordova-Reid’s possible availability on a free transfer could prove an attractive proposition for the Whites as they look to strengthen for another push at Premier League promotion having lost the 2024 Championship play-off final to Southampton. The Liverpool Echo has reported the 31-year-old is not a target for Everton, giving Leeds a possible free run at signing the player if they decide to pursue a move.

De Cordova-Reid was part of the Fulham side that won the Championship play-offs in 2020 and was the club’s top scorer in the 2020-21 season as the Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League after just one season. He stuck with the club despite their demotion back down to the second tier, scoring eight goals and providing eight assists in 41 games as Fulham won the league title with 90 points.

Back in January, the player had revealed talks were underway between his agent and the club as he made clear his desire to stick with Fulham. He said: “The club and (my) agent have been in talks and the thing is to get to (an) agreement. Obviously, I want an agreement to happen, but things take time so we’ll know more in the future.”

Since joining Fulham, he has scored 32 goals and provided 18 assists in 209 games. He netted six times last campaign as Fulham finished 13th in the Premier League. Fulham boss Marco Silva is a fan of the player, and previously praised his versatility. He said back in January: “He’s a top professional, he’s a vocal guy and one of the great examples we have at the club in terms of focus, able to play in any position and he’s always there.”