‘Leeds United to spend £200m+’ – ‘they are gambling big time, believe me’
Leeds United are setting their sights on the future after securing promotion to the Premier League under Daniel Farke this season.
The Whites will return to the top flight after a two-year absence later this year – with the title still up for grabs ahead of their final game against Plymouth on Saturday (3 May).
Leeds City Council backed the club’s plans to take capacity at Elland Road from 37,645 to about 56,500 by upgrading three stands.
They have released concept images of the revamped stadium and say they have 26,000 fans on their season ticket waiting list.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has claimed the plans could cost Leeds in excess of £200million.
Leeds ‘are risking a lot’ with stadium rebuild, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Leeds are “gambling big time” by pushing ahead with a rebuild without consolidating their Premier League place.
All three promoted clubs were relegated immediately from the top flight this season, sparking fears Leeds could suffer a similar fate.
Wyness claimed costs of construction will spiral with Leeds set to take a staged approach to redevelopment.
| Stand | Built | Current Capacity |
| John Charles West Stand | 1957 | 11,000 |
| Don Revie (North) Stand | 1970 | 7,000 |
| Norman Hunter South Stand | 1974 | 5,000 |
| Jack Charlton (East) Stand | 1993 | 14,900 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I like this move for Leeds. We always said the trigger was only going to be pulled after promotion, and here we are.
“They’ve had plans on the table for a while now. It’s great for Elland Road, which is old and needs a revamp.
“It’s a big increase in seats. They’ve said they will do the expansion bit-by-bit.
“20,000 seats – by the time you’ve improved the transport, I think they could be paying at least £200million – if not more.
“It’s a lot of time, also, to get this done if they’re only doing it bit-by-bit. Building supplies are only going up in cost right now, every day.
“It could be difficult to get a contractor to do it at a fixed price.
“They are risking a lot. The stadium will be financed separately, but it will put extra debt burden and interest payments on the club.
“The 49ers will carry the bill, but Leeds are gambling big time, believe me. This just shows the importance of staying in the Premier League.”
‘Leeds could land Soucek for £10m’
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (25 April) that West Ham will listen to offers of £10-15million for Tomas Soucek amid interest from Leeds United.
Soucek, 30, is seen as the “ideal” option to strengthen their squad and could be allowed to leave West Ham after dropping out of Graham Potter’s starting XI.
Leeds are aiming to establish themselves in the Premier League, and are determined not to suffer the same fate as Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton this season.
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