Leeds United stars could join Premier League giants instantly – Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed that Leeds United will be forced to sell “key players” instantly if they fail to gain promotion on Sunday (26 May).
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the Whites face “a really tough battle to get the finances in shape” if they stay in the Championship.
Leeds face Southampton at Wembley on Sunday (26 May) in the play-off final with a place in the Premier League at stake.
Daniel Farke’s side finished third in the regular season, behind Ipswich Town and champions Leicester City.
The Yorkshire giants recorded a loss of £33.7million for the 2022-23 campaign, putting them at risk of breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Wilfried Gnonto are among the most valuable players on the books at Elland Road.
Leeds will be forced to sell key stars instantly if they lose at Wembley, says Wyness
Wyness suggested those stars may be sacrificed “straight away” if Leeds lose at Wembley – with the summer transfer window set to open within weeks.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think the club will rather fight FFP from the Premier League.
“I don’t know what they have in their back pocket in terms of property, maybe they can sell something just as Chelsea have done – intra-company.
“They’ve also got the strength of the 49ers and their celebrity investors.
“They have some clever brains on board.
“If they do stay in the Championship, it will be a really tough battle to get the finances in shape.
“I would expect, in that case, to see some key players picked off by the Premier League clubs straight away.
“It’s going to be a huge game, this final – now more than ever.”
In other news, Leeds plan to accept £12million midfielder bid.
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