Revealed: Leeds in line to sell three stars if they don’t go up
Leeds United expect to sell up to three senior stars if they do not get promoted this season, Football Insider understands.
The Yorkshire giants top the Championship with nine matches remaining but their promotion dream has been iced due to the football suspension that has lasted over a month.
United are in line for a £170million broadcasting windfall if they go up to the Premier League, but failure to do so would have a dramatic effect on the club’s finances and likely to lead to not only the exit of Marcelo Bielsa but an exodus of star players.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that three first teamers would likely leave to stem the club’s losses.
The main playing asset is Kalvin Phillips, who signed a new five-year contract last September that includes a release clause of £20m-plus if United do not get promoted this season.
Owner Andrea Radrizzani has claimed it is “impossible not to” make losses in the Championship and the club need to sell players every year.
Leeds’ latest accounts, published last week, announced a £21m loss for last season despite turnover increasing to £49m.
Radrizzani has showed during his three-year reign he is not afraid of letting star players go.
United sold Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor in his first summer as owner in 2017, Ronaldo Vieira and Samuel Saiz left in the following accounting year and then Pontus Jansson, Kemar Roofe, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Jack Clarke last summer.
There have been some notable signings, not least Helder Costa on a loan-to-buy £15m deal last summer.
But United have operated principally in the loan market in recent windows, to cut costs and reduce their financial risk.
In other Leeds United news, Bruce can’t believe the Whites may be about to smash their transfer record.