Derby County striker Matej Vydra has reportedly demanded £50k-a-week to move to Leeds this summer, and fans can’t believe it.
Vydra has been linked with Leeds all summer, and the 21-goal striker would have been welcomed at Elland Road – but not for this much money.
Phil Hay, from the Yorkshire Evening Post, reported his wage demands, saying he was actually looking “in excess of £50k”.
he’s looking for in excess of £50k
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 17, 2018
That’s Premier League wages for a player who has only had one season in the English top-flight, and scored just three goals for West Brom.
Leeds fans are split though and some believe they need to spend this much money if they want the sort of player that can fire them out of the Championship.
However, the majority think it’s way too much and that it’s a dangerous game to start paying these sorts of salaries, with one fan pointing to Aston Villa’s financial troubles.
One fan just said, “wow” after hearing he wanted £50k-a-week, while another said, “Jeezeus, really? That’s crazy money”.
Some are still hopeful that a compromise can be reached with one fan saying that Leeds should offer him £35k-a-week and demand he signs instantly.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
Don’t understand why they can’t just compromise both sides and thrash a deal out heavily incentivised on promotion which is what the club have set their stall out to achieve. We won’t stand a chance without key top quality signing and they cost money!
— WeAllLoveLeeds (@AllLoveLeeds) July 17, 2018
This is where the agents play a major role. They try to suck up every single penny they can. If it was only up to player and club, deals would have been done quickly.
— pgs@trysil (@perguttorm) July 17, 2018
I agree calculated risk but also getting the best deal we can that doesn't affect ffp if it fails. Window still open & I'll judge end of August but glad we're not just agreeing wages & contracts like Villa & others mate. There is a balance imo
— Paul Warrick PL (LUFC) (@paulwarrick3) July 17, 2018
Pay that and it upsets the apple cart as current players could want the same (certainly the better crop of our players). It’s too much to be paying in this league, need to look elsewhere.
— Chantelle (@clunn1989) July 17, 2018
Why not offer 35k. Bonus on promotion if. Then win win. Sign by wed 5pm or we move on.
— jayjay82? (@jwh1982) July 17, 2018
Wow ????
— Ron (@ronaallleeds) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/N4gativeA/status/1019159978412822528
Too expensive move on and sign someone else
— Benjamin John (@BenRoger91) July 17, 2018
Jeeeeeezus!!! Really !? Nar that's a no from me if I was Radz. Crazy money.
Yes bagged 22 goals last season but that does not say 50k wages . That's Premiership wages that and sets a bad bar for other team players in my opinion.— James (@jimmy_L_UFC) July 17, 2018
Purely my opinion of course but you do get the feeling Vydra and his agent may well return to the table and meet somewhere at the top end of what #LUFC are offering once it's clear there's no takers at £50k! Or Hernandez for that matter
— Danny Brown (@DannyBrown1964) July 17, 2018
OPINION
If anyone is in any doubt about what paying these sorts of wages can do to a club, they’ve only got to look at Aston Vila – as one fan has pointed out here. It’s fine if you could guarantee Premier League football but, as good as Vydra is, he can’t offer that. One fan has said that his agent may be willing to drop his demands once no takers come forward at this price, but it sounds like it would be a problematic negotiation and time is running out in this transfer window. Much better that Leeds say no thanks and move onto other targets.