Whelan cites Leicester in ‘serious’ £80m Leeds transfer claim
Leeds United have to spend upwards of £80million every season if they are to break into the Premier League top six.
That’s according to former Leeds man Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about how the Whites can progress over the next few years.
Football Insider columnist and finance expert Kieran Maguire recently revealed that Leeds could replicate Leicester City’s ‘moneyball’ approach in a bid to establish themselves as a top Premier League club.
Leeds are already looking at summer signings ans this site understands they have been priced out of a move for an England Under-21 sensation Noni Madueke.
Whelan has urged Leeds to be realistic in their Premier League mission and insisted that the club must be regularly spending at least £20million on players to compete at the top level.
Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “You’ve got to be serious and realistic here. We have to spend close to £80million a year, every season, if we’re going to progress and compete.
“If we’re serious about competing for sixth-place and above every single year, we’ve got to start building now.
“You’ve got to look at Leicester, their mould, the way they’ve done it. They still need to pay £20million pounds for players.
“If we do the same this season, and spend £20million, £20million, £20million, £20million on four players, then you know you’re going to get international quality for that.
“That’s what improves the squad.”
Leeds spent heavily ahead of their return to the Premier League with Leeds Live reporting in October that the club had spent in the region of £100million on new talent.
A 10-man Whites picked up a surprise win against the real money monsters of the Premier League on Saturday as a Stuart Dallas brace downed Manchester City at The Etihad.
In other news, Leeds United have made contact over a deal for a 17-goal/assist ace as price revealed.