Leeds United could benefit from pure profit amid January transfer loophole – YEP
Joe Donnohue believes that the sale of Charlie Cresswell could offer Leeds United “pure profit” amid a transfer loophole around Financial Fair Play.
As an academy graduate at Elland Road, the 21-year-old centre-back could help the Whites gain an extra £4-5million in fees, as well as giving Leeds no reason to pay any other fees for the transfer of the player.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist shared it as a possible loophole to divert around FFP, with clubs not permitted to make losses greater than £105 million over three years.
“From a financial perspective, a Cresswell sale would give Leeds additional room to play with in their annual budget,” the Yorkshire Evening Post journalist wrote on Tuesday (9 January).
“Academy players offer clubs a loophole of sorts, meaning the sale of youngsters to have graduated their own setup is ‘pure profit’, therefore offloading Cresswell would see Leeds bank several millions of pounds in their yearly accounting period for this season.”
A decision needs to be made
Rumours have been circulating around Cresswell’s future at Elland Road for weeks leading up to the January transfer window opening, with Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough all reportedly interested.
The young defender has been growing frustrated amid a lack of playing time under Daniel Farke. Following a successful loan spell at Millwall last season, making 30 appearances and scoring four goals, it was hoped Cresswell would return and hit the ground running.
However, his patience has been tested by Farke, starting just one league match and appearing as a substitute in three others, amassing just 129 minutes in the Championship.
It is becoming evermore likely that the academy graduate will depart Elland Road permanently, either this month or in the summer transfer window, much to the disappointment of Leeds fans. But one of the positives, if Cresswell were to leave, would be the safety of knowing the breaking of FFP limitations was further away.
In other Leeds United news, an international player linked with a move to Elland Road is unhappy at his current club and could be on his way out in the January transfer window.