SO SAD;I will not play again:Leeds  key player has decided to quit due to…

Leeds United look set to see off interest from West Ham in signing Crysencio Summerville as they hold out for a £40million fee, talkSPORT reports.

According to the outlet’s website on 30 July the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham for the same amount has helped boost the Whites’ resolve to demand a top fee if they to let another star go, and it is proving too much for the Hammers.

Julen Lopetegui’s side are only prepared to go as high as around £20million and are now “on the verge of pulling out” of the pursuit.

Fabrizio Romano reported on 22 July that West Ham had come forward with an approach for Summerville, 22, but wanted it was a “very expensive” deal.

Tottenham sale fortifies Leeds United against Hammers

It would be a tough task to find a Whites supporter who wasn’t disappointed by the exit of homegrown teenager Gray, even with Joe Rodon returned on a permanent deal from Spurs at the same time.

But the silver lining may be the ability to keep hold of last season’s Championship Player of the Season which would be a major boost in making a second run at promotion.

With Everton seemingly backing off from Willy Gnonto [Football Transfers, 29 July] after signing Jesper Lindstrom the recent developments will likely increase hopes that more big-name players won’t follow Gray and Glen Kamara out unless it is on Leeds’ terms.

Even if West Ham do abandon their pursuit of Summerville it won’t mean Daniel Farke is out of the woods, with Rennes wanting to add him to Kamara [L’Equipe, 16 July] and widespread interest elsewhere in the Premier League.

Brighton have made their own approach already during the transfer window [Fabrizio Romano, 17 June] and giants Liverpool and Chelsea have both been credited with interest [The Sun, 28 May].