Leeds United set for £100m fire sale after Southampton playoff final defeat
Leeds United may be forced to sell £100million worth of players after losing the Championship playoff final against Southampton at Wembley.
The Whites were beaten 1-0 by the Saints in the showpiece event on 26 May, with Adam Armstrong netting the decisive goal midway through the first half that ensured Leeds will remain in the second tier for at least one more season.
The Daily Mail previously reported that, amid significant operating losses totalling £34m from their latest set of accounts, it seems Leeds may be forced to sell their most valuable stars in order to generate a sum close to £100m to balance the books and stay on the right side of spending rules.
Adding to the club’s financial woes is the fact that their parachute payments are set to reduce by 10 per cent in their second year away from the Premier League, and the report on 16 May names Crysencio Summerville, Illan Meslier, Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray as the club’s most valuable assets, while also suggesting that Patrick Bamford could be moved on.
Who could Leeds United be forced to sell this summer?
The most likely player to depart the club this summer could be Championship Player of the Season Summerville.
The 22-year-old has just two years left to run on his contract and is coming off the back of a spectacular campaign in which he accrued 21 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
His age makes him attractive to prospective suitors, with the Daily Mail citing interest from Premier League sides Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Additionally, the fact that Leeds paid a very small fee to add him to their academy ranks from Feyenoord in 2020 means his sale – with a reported price tag of over £30m – would represent a great deal of profit.
Academy graduate Gray is likely to attract similar – or even more – attention, but the teenager has penned terms until the end of the 2027/28 season and Leeds are unlikely to sanction the sale of their most promising young talent.
Farke may also have some difficult decisions to make regarding potential permanent deals for on-loan stars such as Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts. The former in particular has become a mainstay of the Whites defence but it remains to be seen if the club can afford to make his stay at Elland Road permanent.
Leeds certainly face a difficult summer – but if they can negotiate it well, they will have plenty of hope that they can go one better and secure promotion in 2025.
In other Leeds United news, a former Whites winger has sent three-word message to a departing player.
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