Carlton Palmer: Leeds United need to spend money this summer
Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez would cost Leeds United £30million, and Carlton Palmer wants them to splash the cash.
Calciomercato reported last month that the Whites would need to meet the release clause of the 25-year-old Uruguayan if they want him.
The highest Leeds have ever spent on a player is the £26million they paid to bring Rodrigo from Valencia last summer [BBC], and Palmer believes they would need similar outlays on top players if they want to start challenging for Europe.
“I think that they’re going to have to spend,” the former Whites star told Football FanCast while discussing the reported interest in Nandez.
“Listen, 30 million now is going to be the norm to get a quality player into the football club.
“If you’ve got ambition to push on – Leeds finished midway in the table last season – if you want to finish above that, you’ve got to improve the quality of your squad. And that means you’re going to have to spend more money.”
True!
Leeds have been smart operators in the transfer market since returning to the Premier League, cutting their coat according to their size.
So far this summer, the Elland Road outfit have spent a combined £24million on Jack Harrison and Junior Firpo – bargain deals as they come.
However, while being shrewd and making quality additions for relatively low fees make sense, we would need to start spending big once in a while if we are to start seriously pushing for the top-six.
It is what set the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United apart from the rest.
Even the likes of Leicester City now do some serious spendings once in a while, and looking for bargain deals at the time will most likely limit us.
The ready-made stars cost top dollar, and inability to meet those prices was the reason why we missed out on Argentine midfield sensation Rodrigo de Paul.
Nandez could be moving elsewhere should Leeds refuse to play ball, and as proven over the years, splashing the cash is often the difference between the top sides and the wannabes.
In other Leeds news, new twist emerges in Whites hunt to sign goalkeeper, competition rising.