Ethan Ampadu exit mooted as worst-case Leeds scenario emerges at Elland Road
Ethan Ampadu leaving Leeds seems unthinkable at the moment.
Ampadu is a key part of Daniel Farke‘s side, and has played a crucial role in the Whites’ recent form that has seen them pull away from the relegation zone.
The idea that Ampadu could depart Leeds anytime soon seems fanciful, especially given the fact that he has played 19 times in the Premier League this season.
However, it could be a possibility amid the latest on the Elland Road side’s precarious financial position.
Why might Leeds sell Ethan Ampadu?
Leeds are understood to be sailing close to the Profit and Sustainability limit, especially if they pursue a deal for Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth raised the possibility of a senior exit, believing that Ampadu could be sold if the Whites cannot sell a player who is not in Farke’s plans before the 30 June deadline, in a worst-case scenario.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast on 23 January, he said: “I would hate to go into the summer, with Leeds needing to sell a player, not being able to sell the ones they want, and having to sell an Ethan Ampadu, for example, just to put the absolute worst case scenario out there.
“What I am saying is, I would not be in favour of relying on a sale before 30 June, unless you know that you can get Meslier out the door or someone else.
“Ampadu is definitely not one of the ones I would want to leave, particularly with how he is playing of late, he looks like a Premier League player, he is the heartbeat of the side, he is the captain, he is so important.
“What I am saying is, that is the worst case scenario isn’t it, where you end up having to panic sell somebody so that you don’t breach PSR.”
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Why Leeds must do everything to avoid Ampadu exit
As Smyth said, Ampadu is the heartbeat of Farke’s team, he exemplifies what it means to be a Leeds player, willing to put in the hard yards and crunching tackles for the team, even putting his own body on the line.
He has been exemplary this year despite the step-up in quality, especially defensively, recording 5.29 recoveries, 2.41 tackles and 1.39 interceptions per 90 minutes.
They simply cannot afford to let him leave, especially given his connection with the supporters, and how integral that he is for the LS11 side.
There are plenty of options to balance the books, the likes of Meslier, Max Wober and Mateo Joseph could be sold, or Joel Piroe could be included in the Strand Larsen deal to ease the PSR impact of that transfer.
Another potential sale could be Wilfried Gnonto, he has hardly lit the top-flight up, and is attracting interest from Serie A club, surely Farke would be willing to lose somebody like him before he sanctions an Ampadu sale.
There are plenty of ways for the Peacocks to get back onto a stable financial footing, selling their captain, and arguably their best player, should not even be considered, not even as a last resort.
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