George Overhill

Sun 11 June 2023 21:10, UK

There will be “huge changes” to the Leeds United squad this summer with plenty of players leaving because some have had their wages “ridiculously” reduced, says journalist Ryan Taylor.

Various members of the Elland Road first-team had clauses in their contracts to protect the club against a relegation that became reality on 28 May, either reducing their asking price to make a transfer exit easier, or their wages if they stay at the club.

Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson are named as two who are likely to leave with such provisions in their Whites deals, and Taylor is amazed as that some of the squad’s pay will be more than halved so expects a lot to want to go.

The Express journalist told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m expecting huge changes at Leeds, to be honest, this summer, because a lot of the players do have relegation clauses written into their contracts: Aaronson as well as Harrison. But also because their wages are being reduced ridiculously, some of them by up to 60%.

“So I think, as a player, you’re going to be looking to jump into a new challenge. Leeds probably need to raise cash in order to fund a rebuild of the magnitude that’s required. That’s how I see it.”

Clear out

Losing more than half of what you are accustomed to earning will be a shock to anyone’s system even allowing for the huge wages a Premier League footballer tends to be on.

Plenty of fans will reasonably argue that some weren’t worth it in the first place given the form over the past term that saw Leeds United return to the Championship.

So it is a positive that relegation hasn’t lumbered the club with a financially onerous squad that they have to fire sale just to keep the lights on, thanks to the relegation clauses.

But some will want to leave as a result, just as some would have wanted to anyway, so there is sure to be a significant overhaul before the new season.

Much will depend on who is appointed to replace Sam Allardyce as manager, both in terms of who they want to keep in the building, and how confident some players might be in their ability to lead them back to the Premier League.

Harrison will surely have takers because he showed he can be effective in the top flight, while the Whites will likely be hoping that Aaronson does after he flattered to deceive in his debut campaign at Elland Road.

It would be no surprise to see both depart this summer, and either way it is sure to be a much-changed squad that starts the new season in the second tier.

In other Leeds United news, a two-time Championship winner is now on the cards to be the new manager according to Phil Hay’s latest update.