Exclusive: Leeds face £28m+ hit after stunning twist

Leeds United could be set to pay out more than £28million after securing promotion back to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider. 

The Yorkshire giants have spent the past two seasons in the Championship, having been relegated from the top flight in 2023. 

Daniel Farke’s side were narrowly beaten by Southampton in the play-off final last season, but they have gone one better this time after securing automatic promotion. 

Although Leeds are currently level on points with Burnley, they have a far superior goal difference as they look to seal the Championship title heading into the final two games of the campaign. 

The club’s latest accounts revealed they could be forced to pay up to £9.6million due to clauses relating to player transfers following their promotion to the Premier League.

The documents also confirmed £19.2million worth of bonuses will be paid to the Leeds players and Farke’s staff after securing their return to the top flight. 

That means the club could be set to pay out £28.8million over the coming weeks if all the clauses relating to player transfers have been triggered following their promotion. 

Leeds face PSR issues after record-breaking update

Leeds posted a record-breaking Championship revenue last season despite seeing their turnover fall from £189.7million in 2022-23 to £127.6million. 

That was driven by a £57.9million drop in broadcast revenue, which fell from £111.5million to £53.6million in 2023-24 as a result of their relegation. 

Matchday income at Elland Road improved from £29.9million to £30.6million, while commercial revenue slipped from £48.2million to £43.3million across the same period. 

The club’s losses increased from £33.7million to £60.8million in 2023-24 as they continue to toe the financial fair play (FFP) line. 

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider Leeds could face a profit and sustainability (PSR) issue following their return to the Premier League, with top-flight clubs only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period. 

Jose Mourinho on three-man Leeds manager shortlist

Football Insider revealed on 25 April Jose Mourinho, Steven Gerrard and Lee Carsley are on Leeds’ shortlist as the club consider replacing Farke. 

There is a possibility Elland Road chiefs could be tempted to make a managerial change ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. 

A shortlist has been drawn up behind the scenes after questions have been asked about Farke’s top-flight record. 

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