Finance expert warns of Leeds United ‘juggling act’ for 49ers Enterprises in first transfer window
Finance expert Dr Dan Plumley has warned of a Leeds United “juggling act” in the first transfer window for 49ers Enterprises.
The sport finance expert at Sheffield Hallam University has suggested that a £100million spend is unlikely at Elland Road this summer.
Leeds are now back in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League on the final day of last season.
“The bottom line is obviously that it is much tougher in the Championship,” said Plumley, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “The money that comes in through TV broadcasting is nowhere near as high [as in the Premier League] so you’ve got a reduction in revenue to deal with, that’s offset a little bit by parachute payments.
“A £100m transfer window spend is unlikely in the current climate. Those days are just not there anymore, partly because of the regulations and also partly because we’ve seen, certainly at that level, you just can’t act like that anymore. I wouldn’t expect that to be the case now at Leeds.
“It’s a real juggling act because it’s not just how much you spend on transfer fees but the whole package in terms of wages as well. Selling players helps because it’s not just a fee and profit, it’s money off the wage bill. That’s the cost control element you’re looking at, although the targets are a little different because it’s a different calibre of player and recruitment costs will reduce in line with that.”
Tough task
New Whites manager Daniel Farke definitely has a tough task on his hands, but it is also a very exciting one, with legendary status awaiting the boss who can bring the club back into the Premier League.
Leeds have definitely improved their financial situation this summer thanks to the offloading of senior players.
Even though the exit of star striker Rodrigo is a major loss on the pitch, it is a major win off it in terms of wages, with the Spaniard having been a very high earner while at Elland Road.
That situation could be repeated with a handful of other stars, with young teenager Wilfried Gnonto perhaps the next to be moved on, while the future of goalkeeper Illan Meslier is also up in the air.
Despite these potential big-money sales, Farke and the new Leeds owners must be smart in their recruitment and spend whatever money there is available wisely.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites need to sell an “incredible” player first to fund a move for a multi-million European ace.