Leeds United and Stoke City poised to battle for Crystal Palace forward | OneFootball

Franco Umeh-Chibueze could be sent out on loan in the next week, with the two Championship clubs interested.

Leeds United and Stoke City look set to compete for the loan signing of Crystal Palace's Franco Umeh , with the Premier League side looking to let the young winger go before the August 30 deadline.

The 19-year-old has been linked to the second tier duo by TeamTalk, having yet to feature for Palace in a senior game, and earlier in the summed he was touted as a target for Blackburn Rovers by Alan Nixon.

The Eagles have already loaned out four of their talented prospects this summer, with three due to meet both Leeds and Stoke in the Championship at some point this season.

David Ozoh, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Malcolm Ebiowei have joined Derby County, Sheffield United and Oxford United respectively, while goalkeeper Joe Whitworth will spend the 2024/25 campaign with Exeter City in League One.

The Premier League outfit recently lost Michael Olise to FC Bayern Munich in Germany, and had been putting off loaning out any more youngsters until more recruitments arrived at Selhurst Park, but now look ready to let Umeh out on loan.

Franco Umeh could bring excitement to Stoke City or Leeds United

The youngster was signed by Palace in February 2023 from Cork City, and has been a part of the club's youth teams for the most part.

However, he has made the bench for the senior squad for both Roy Hodgson and Oliver Glasner, and has been described as a "rapid, hard-working player" on the Eagles' website.

He has piqued Leeds' interest in particular, with his ability to play anywhere across the three a major green light for the Championship play-off finalists from last season, but a lack of first-team action could mean a slower start for Umeh than a more experienced option.

The 19-year-old was prolific in Premier League 2 for Palace's U21s in 2023/24, scoring nine goals in just 14 games, as his team finished 13th.

If Stoke or Leeds can find the same level of goalscoring form from Umeh-Chibueze, they could be in for an exciting few months if they land his services.

Both Leeds United and Stoke City are in need of new attacking additions

Leeds are feeling the full effects of their failure to get promoted last season, and have lost four game-changing players in recent weeks.

Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Glen Kamara have all made big money moves to top flight clubs both in England and France, and these sales have led to an influx of Leeds targets, with the likes of Jack Clarke and Manuel Benson currently on the radar of Daniel Farke's side.

Stoke, on the other hand, are lacking a true attacking threat, and currently have 18-year-old Emre Tezgel leading the line at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters are interested in bringing Daniel Jebbison to Staffordshire on loan from AFC Bournemouth, but face competition from Watford, which has left Steven Schumacher without a guarantee of bringing the 21-year-old to the club.

The next week and a half is incredibly important for both clubs, and could make or break their seasons. Leeds have struggled to hit the ground-running so far, but the signing of Umeh could revitalise their forward-line and bring the good times back to Elland Road.