Sunderland do not expect Leeds United-linked Amad to return to Wearside next season - but that does not necessarily increase his chances of ending up at Elland Road. The Manchester United forward enjoyed a magnificent season on loan with the Black Cats last term, scoring 14 goals to help the club reach the Championship play-off semi-finals and becoming a fan favourite in the process.
And Leeds are believed to have identified the 19-year-old as a potential replacement for Wilfried Gnonto if the latter moves on this summer, as the Whites look to launch an immediate promotion bid after suffering relegation from the top flight last term. Sunderland would have liked Amad to have spent another season on loan with them but sporting director Kristjaan Speakman seems to have accepted that that will not happen with Manchester United having other ideas.
Instead, the Red Devils could either try to involve Amad in their Premier League squad next season - or, alternatively, send him on loan to a top flight club in England or in one of the other major European leagues. And, either way, if that is Manchester United's plan then it would scupper Leeds' chances of signing the Ivory Coast international.
"I'm so happy Amad sat in here at the end of the season with me and Tony [Mowbray, Sunderland's head coach] and had a vibrant smile on his face," Speakman told The Athletic. "He loved it.
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"Naturally, that's what we want. Can Amad return to Sunderland? I don't think so. He should be playing in tier one, in England, LaLiga, Bundesliga, wherever.
"That's the level of player he is. The staff here, the players and supporters have helped him get back on that journey and hopefully that will attract more players to want to come to Sunderland."
Manchester United signed Amad from Italian Serie A side Atalanta in January 2021 for a fee that could reportedly rise as high as £35m, depending on add-ons.
