How much Leeds United paid Arsenal for Sam Greenwood as Elland Road exit looms | OneFootball

Greenwood’s time at Leeds United could soon be coming to an end

Leeds United are reportedly open to offers for attacker Sam Greenwood.

That’s according to TEAMtalk last month, who revealed the player’s representatives are already working on deal which, on account of Greenwood having a year left on his deal, would require a fee.

The 23-year-old was a promising starlet when he arrived from Arsenal in 2020, but he has not managed to break through convincingly at Leeds, being loaned out to both Middlesbrough and Preston North End in the previous two seasons.

With the Whites heading to the Premier League, it seems the time has come to consider the player’s exit.

Leeds paid a substantial sum to Arsenal for Greenwood

Rising through the academies of Sunderland and Arsenal, Greenwood had caught plenty of eyes in youth football, with European giants like Manchester United and AC Milan reportedly interested at the time.

But the Whites won the race with their £1.5m bid for the player, which was thought to have the potential to rise to £3m if certain clauses were met.

While the precise details of those terms are not known, making the final figure paid uncertain, what is undeniable is that Leeds invested significantly in Greenwood.

With an exit now looking like, and Greenwood having made a limited impact on Leeds’ first team, it appears he has not quite lived up to their expectations.

Leeds could still turn a profit on Greenwood

Nevertheless, all may not be lost for Leeds.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported recently that the Whites will seek a fee between £3m-£4m for Greenwood.

Should they manage to land that sum, Leeds will at a minimum recoup their initial investment, and may even turn a small profit depending on the exact purchase and sale figures.

Given the move has not quite worked out for Greenwood or Leeds, it would be a positive way to bring their association to a close.

Greenwood has plenty to offer a Championship side

It is also worth remembering that while Greenwood hasn’t lit up Elland Road since signing in 2020, he has performed for other sides.

He registered eight goal involvements in each of his last two Championship seasons, for Preston and Boro.

Nobody would argue they are record-breaking numbers, but for a young forward it shows that he is capable at this level and consistent in his output, meaning he will have something to offer a second-tier side.

Still just 23 years old, Greenwood has plenty of development left in him and, although it hasn’t quite worked at Leeds, if another club can pick him up cheaply and help him to realise his full potential, they will look like shrewd operators.

Leeds didn’t quite get what they were hoping for from their former Arsenal starlet, but that does not mean his race is run.

A new environment, a new manager or even a new set of fans to perform for can all be the catalyst to propel players to their top level.