Leeds United endured a tumultuous summer following their failure to secure promotion back to the Premier League, with several key players opting for pastures new.
Among those departing Elland Road were Crysencio Summerville, Glen Kamara, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray, all leaving the club on permanent deals.
The biggest blow for Leeds came in the play-off final at Wembley, where a 1-0 defeat to Southampton dashed their hopes of an immediate return to the top flight.
That loss had serious consequences, as the club’s top talents pursued Premier League football elsewhere. However, one departure that flew somewhat under the radar was the sale of Luis Sinisterra to Bournemouth, following a difficult spell at Leeds.
Luis Sinisterra’s Leeds Spell
Sinisterra, a Colombian international, arrived at Leeds in the summer of 2022 from Dutch giants Feyenoord.
The winger was signed by former head coach Jesse Marsch for a reported £21.4 million, with high hopes that he would bring a spark to the team’s attack. However, Sinisterra’s time at Elland Road was marred by injuries, significantly limiting his impact.
Throughout the 2022/23 Premier League season, the forward suffered from muscle, ankle, and foot injuries, which kept him sidelined for a total of 16 matches.
Despite showing glimpses of his talent, these constant setbacks hindered his progress. As Leeds struggled at the wrong end of the table and ultimately faced relegation, Sinisterra found it difficult to make a lasting impression.
Although he provided a threat from wide positions, contributing with some important goals, his lack of creativity and consistency was a concern.
When the Whites were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season, Sinisterra made it clear that he had no desire to play in the Championship. In response, he secured a loan move to Bournemouth, allowing him to remain in the top tier.
Leeds Struck Gold with Sinisterra Sale
Leeds capitalised on Sinisterra’s desire to leave by agreeing to sell him to Bournemouth on a permanent deal for a reported £20 million, a transfer that was finalised in February 2024.
For Leeds, it turned out to be a shrewd piece of business. The Colombian had endured another injury-ridden season at Bournemouth, where his goal output left much to be desired.
During the 2023/24 campaign, Sinisterra managed just three goals in 23 appearances for the Cherries across all competitions, including two goals in 20 Premier League matches.
In contrast, Pascal Struijk, a central defender, outscored the winger by netting five goals in 25 games for Leeds. This stark comparison highlighted Sinisterra’s struggles in front of goal, as even a centre-back managed to outscore him.
His injury problems continued to haunt him, as Sinisterra missed nine of Bournemouth’s last ten Premier League fixtures due to a hamstring injury. The Cherries had already committed to paying £20 million for his services at this point, despite his persistent fitness issues.
In total, Sinisterra has played just 40 league matches across the last two seasons, splitting his time between Leeds and Bournemouth, and has scored seven goals during that period. For a player who was initially seen as a key attacking threat, his output has been underwhelming, to say the least.
The Verdict
Leeds will likely feel vindicated by the decision to sell Sinisterra when they did. By recouping £20 million, they made a loss of just £1.4 million on the player, a relatively small amount considering his injury woes and lack of form.
Furthermore, his current market value, according to Transfermarkt, stands at €17 million (£14 million), meaning Leeds offloaded him before his stock dropped further.
Sinisterra has since scored one goal in three Premier League matches this season, but whether he can stay fit and deliver consistently remains to be seen. Time will tell if Leeds will come to regret his sale, but for now, it appears they made a wise decision in cutting their losses when they did.