QPR and Millwall rivals see 'impressive' Leeds United transfer 'leaked'

A rival Championship side of QPR and Millwall has seen a transfer coup 'leaked' online before being confirmed.

Sunderland appear to have completed a deal to bring winger Ian Poveda to the North East. The 24-year-old was released by Leeds United this summer following the expiry of his contract, having spent four years at Elland Road since joining from Manchester City in January 2020.

The Colombia international spent the back end of last season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday as he helped Danny Rohl's side complete the great escape from the clutches of relegation. Poveda made 10 appearances for the Owls having only made one start for Leeds United during the first half of the campaign.

The winger appeared to have impressed Daniel Farke during pre-season 12 months ago, with the incoming Whites boss labelling the player as 'impressive' and 'full of confidence'. However, he struggled to find a place in Farke's Leeds system.

Poveda has been linked with several Championship clubs including Cardiff City, West Brom and Luton Town this summer, as well as a potential return to Hillsborough. However, it appears that the player has arrived at the Stadium of Light.

That news has emerged after a photo surfaced on social media showing Poveda holding up a Sunderland scarf outside of the club's Academy of Light training ground. The Sunderland Echo have confirmed that it is the forward in the photo after it had been reported earlier this week that the Black Cats had muscled their way into becoming frontrunners to land the free agent.

Speaking earlier this week, Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl admitted his club were not close to a deal as talks were threatening to hit an impasse. He told the Sheffield Star: “On the one side we have interest from the club and what we want to do, but then there is the player’s side and the agent’s side. There must be a match and maybe there are some things that are maybe not a match and so it is different.

"In my mind, Ian Poveda is not under contract, we will look in the end where he is and what we can do, but it must be a decision together.”