£1billion news emerges at Leeds United from 49ers Enterprises as Finance Expert reacts
We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Dan Plumley has insisted that a £1billion valuation of Leeds United is very far off after news emerged from the camp of the 49ers Enterprises.
It was suggested that the American consortium see the Whites as a club that can hit that valuation, with their takeover potentially going through in the next couple of months.
Plumley admitted that £250million is more realistic at this moment in time, with the projected target more likely for a club currently in the Premier League top six.
“I think that is very far off,” he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“That is no disrespect to Leeds United, but that valuation is a long way off for them at the moment.
“You’d have them at the £200-250million mark, maybe pushing £300million as a Premier League club, we saw Newcastle United sell for that figure as an example. When you’re talking about £1billion, you’re talking about the big six and beyond, and obviously, Leeds are nowhere near that so £1billion seems pretty high at this stage.
“There is still growth in valuations of football clubs, there is a lot of money that clubs are leaving on the table in terms of their overseas fans.
“There is an opportunity for growth but to get Leeds from £200million to £1billion, is something that is going to take a lot of time, and at the minute, that’s still a long way off given the complexities around the dominance of English football by a select number of clubs.”
A complete takeover and stadium expansion are just two of the developments that have been mooted and would potentially help raise that value, but that still needs to happen.
Relegation is the biggest thorn in our side at this moment in time, with Sam Allardyce brought in to try and stop that from happening – time will tell.
In other Leeds United news, the club may now face a losing battle to keep their star player at Elland Road beyond the summer transfer window.