Leeds United fans won't like it, but Paraag Marathe stayed true to his word with Pascal Struijk sale

Leeds United fans haven't been too pleased at the sale of Pascal Struijk to Brighton.

The Whites confirmed the exit of their Dutchman on Tuesday, announcing he has left Elland Road after a several-season stay.

Struijk racked up 198 appearances in total for Leeds, but the club always had a big decision to make this summer, as he entered into his final 12 months of his deal in LS11.

The Whites will receive around £18million up-front from the Seagulls for the 26-year-old, who has signed a multi-year deal at the Amex Stadium.

Leeds fans haven't been too pleased with the fee that has been agreed for his sale, despite him having a year left on his contract.

However, Paraag Marathe warned that deals like this were always going to be inevitable this summer, and he's stayed true to his recent comments.

Paraag Marathe's financial comments make sense with Pascal Struijk sale

Leeds released an official letter from Marathe on their club website last month, which was very useful information for fans to digest.

The Whites' chief explained how they would have to stay compliant with regulations this summer, and that meant the departure of some players.

Marathe wrote: "This summer, instead of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) will impact our transfer market approach.

"Our approach to the transfer market will once again be strategic and disciplined to comply with regulations while striving further to improve, and players will both arrive and depart as a result."

Leeds even justified the decision to sell Struijk this summer in confirmation of the sale on their club website, as the departure resulted in the Whites staying compliant with PSR regulations for 30 June.

The club alluded to Marathe's comments, which cannot be overlooked in this circumstance, as in an ideal world, Leeds would have been in a better position to hold out for more money.

There could yet be another two sales that may divide the opinion of the Leeds fanbase.

Wilfried Gnonto and Joel Piroe will both come into Leeds' financial thoughts

Marathe suggested that it would take Leeds another two years to be able to operate as they would like as a Premier League side, due to financial constraints.

That means that despite Struijk's sale, the Whites may need to offload some other stars.

Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto are two that could make the Peacocks sit even further on the right side of regulations, with SCR laws now in place.

Gnonto will no doubt help Leeds gain some extra breathing space, with Freiburg said to be interested in the Italian.

Piroe's potential sale could be a bit trickier to earn a profit from, as his £12m move to Elland Road back in 2023 may be hard to recoup.