Leeds told whether to sell ‘best players’ as cost to stay in Premier League revealed
Leeds United fans could be braced for more exits than incomings over the next year.
Leeds’ 2-1 defeat to Tottenham positioned them 15th in the Premier League, before it paused for the international break.
As a result, Daniel Farke could look towards the winter window to sign reinforcements.
But while Leeds have settled their PSR dispute with Everton, the Whites may still face spending restrictions in January.
With all things considered, Leeds may need to get creative to circumvent the issue over the next couple of months.
Leeds sales will depend on Premier League results
It has been suggested that Leeds will need to sell to buy in January if they want to secure any of their targets.
Given their PSR restrictions, Leeds will likely not spend big during the winter window.
Dan Plumley believes that the Whites could find some financial relief if Farke produces good results in the Premier League.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, the football finance expert admits that the higher up the club sits in the Premier League in January, the smaller the chance of selling their best players.
“I think a lot of that’s going to depend on where they are in the table during that time,” Plumley said when asked if Leeds will need to sell.
“You don’t want to lose your best players. The money on offer to be in the Premier League is £105million in TV money if you’re finishing bottom.
“If you’re above that line and you stay up, you’re talking £110m minimum, plus your commercial add-ons, et cetera. So the clubs know financially the costs of relegation and the price of staying up.
“So that’s what you’re going to be juggling against come January.”
Who could Leeds sell?
Leeds could look to sell players who were brought in for cheaper to turn a profit. Meanwhile, top-performing individuals could also be sold.
Pascal Struijk joined the Whites in 2018 from Ajax and has penned several new deals too. As a valued player at Leeds and in the prime of his career, the defender could make the list.
- Struijk has started seven out of seven Premier League games
- He has played every single minute in the league
Leeds signed Wifried Gnonto from FC Zurich in 2022 for a reported £3.8m. The forward has extended at Elland Park since, and the club will certainly profit if he were to be sold.
Finally, Ao Tanaka was signed from German side Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2024 for a reported £2.5m fee and has had eyes on him since Leeds’ opening match against Everton.
With several suitors likely to arrive if he were put on the market, Leeds may be forced to part with some of their best players if they fail to escape relegation.
They obviously won’t want that to happen, so picking up points quickly will be key.
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