Senior Leeds United figure explains thought process behind Pascal Struijk sale
Leeds United made the tough decision to sell Pascal Struijk early in the summer transfer window.
The 27-year-old joined Leeds academy in 2018, before he progressed to become a key first-team performer.
However, Struijk decided at the end of last season that he wanted a new challenge and opted to leave Elland Road.
With the Dutch centre-back entering the final year of his contract, Leeds made the decision to cash in.
Struijk consequently moved to Premier League rivals Brighton on a five-year deal for a fee in the region of £20million.
Now, Adam Pope has shared what Leeds managing director Robbie Evans told him about the thought process with that sale.
What did Robbie Evans say about Pascal Struijk sale at Leeds?
The Premier League has now changed its financial parameters, moving from the previously unpopular profif and sustainability rules (PSR) to the new system of squad cost ratio (SCR).
Struijk's sale helped Leeds ensure they would meet their PSR target for 2025/26, before moving to the SCR rules.
At one stage it was thought that Leeds might need to make more than one sale before June 30th to keep within the financial parameters.
But BBC Radio Leeds commentator Adam Pope, speaking on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, explained what Evans told him about why that was not the case.
Pope said: "The key headlines (of speaking to Evans) were the transfer window and how they got all their main targets early on.
"(Also) how they explain the Pascal Struijk sale as well and how that, thankfully there's only one sale needed to meet the PSR deadline like they did.
"He said the cup run and the success of last season, I think, and not spending big in January meant that they only had to sell one player by June 30th as such before that deadline. So, that was good to hear the explanation of that."
Are Leeds stronger for Pascal Struijk sale?
At the time, it was disappointing to see Struijk depart, especially for a team Leeds want to be competing with for European qualification.
But, by the end of the window it is hard to believe that Leeds do not look stronger overall.
Struijk's sale allowed for the £34million arrival of Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, while Nico Elvedi also joined to strength the backline.
With James Trafford, Harry Wilson, Michael Zetterer, Melvin Bard, and Jean-Matteo Bahoya also joining, there is real depth to the team right now.
It would have been nice if Struijk would have stayed, but he wanted a new challenge, Leeds managed to have a really good window, so really there were no losers in this situation.