Leeds United are set to sign teenage free agent striker Sonny Perkins, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The lowdown: Slow-moving deal
The Whites have been linked with a move for the 18-year-old for some time now, with reputable transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano initially reporting that the parties had 'opened talks' at the start of June.
However, the England youth international - who has come through the youth system at West Ham - remains a free agent after the expiry of his deal at the London Stadium after rejecting a professional contract offer.
A fresh report has now emerged claiming that Leeds are finally about to make Perkins the latest addition at Elland Road...
The latest: Leeds 'on the brink' of Perkins swoop
As per the Daily Mail, Leeds are believed to be 'on the brink' of signing the England under-18 starlet.
It's claimed that the Yorkshire club 'are signing' Perkins - who was hailed by Carlton Cole for his 'outstanding' form for the Hammers' under-23 side, for whom he scored 10 times in 22 outings - despite interest from the Whites' Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham.
The report also stated that 16-year-old Leeds youngster Archie Gray will have his 'ankle assessed' following a tackle from Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn in the 1-0 pre-season defeat over the weekend.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-47/" title="Latest Leeds United news!" poster="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The verdict: Bright future
Already boasting the youthful attacking talents of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Gray himself, should Perkins indeed join as expected, the Whites are certainly developing a strong nucleus of exciting forwards for the immediate and long-term future.
While the ex-West Ham starlet has only made three senior appearances to date, Jesse Marsch has already shown a willingness to create a clear pathway through to first-team football at Elland Road for prodigious youngsters, a factor which may have helped Victor Orta in luring the Londoner to Yorkshire ahead of other clubs.
Capable of playing as a recognised centre-forward, on either wing and in deeper midfield roles, Perkins brings additional versatility and an ability to act as an immediate understudy to Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo to the Leeds ranks, and his imminent signing could prove to be a masterstroke from Orta and co over time.