Football writer Conor McGilligan has claimed that ‘money might be a little bit tight’ at Leeds United, so the club will have to be ‘careful’ with their transfer plans.
Over the summer, Leeds spent a hefty amount of money – in the region of £50m – on signings such as Daniel James, Junior Firpo and Jack Harrison. They also failed to receive a notable transfer fee for any of the players that left the club.
The season before that, the situation was similar, with the club spending even more on new incomings, while once again making next to nothing from outgoings.
Of course, their Premier League status in the past couple of seasons has afforded them the luxury to do this. But even so, McGilligan has warned supporters that the club must be ‘careful with the pennies’ in the current winter market.
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Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel on YouTube, he explained: “Now, what I am completely understanding of is money might be a little bit tight around the Leeds United network at the minute, and I completely understand that.
“The club have outlaid a lot of money within the past two years – £150m and upwards. So, Leeds have got to be a little bit careful with the pennies.
“They’ve got to be a little bit careful with who they go for – is there a long-term project there? Will the manager see them as part of the plans, if we do stick with the same manager, if Bielsa is around in a year’s time? Will he be able to fit into the next man’s plans perfectly well?”
TIF Thoughts on Leeds and their finances…
One factor that could impact the club’s finances is Leeds’ ability to sell the talent they have within the squad already.
Indeed, while speaking in an interview with Forbes magazine (via LeedsLive), Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani suggested as much, saying: “[We] will have to sell maybe one or two key players and buy other talents coming up like Leicester did in the past so we need to be humble and realistic of our means [so that] we grow gradually step by step.”
One player who has been linked with a move away from Yorkshire in recent times is winger Raphinha. According to reports, Bayern Munich want to make a move for the key man. However, it is thought that Leeds value the Brazilian at around £60m and have not had any contact with the German club as of yet.
Even if he was to be sold, fans could probably expect some investment. As for now, though, this may be an uneventful transfer market if McGilligan’s claim is anything to go by.
In other news: ‘Wow, who would have thought’, ‘Boooo’ – Many Leeds fans fume as club update emerges