As we all know, the jump from the Championship to Premier League is a daunting one for any team making the step up. And ultimately, it all boils down to money.
Leeds United could return to the big time this season if they can see through the promotion race in the Championship, which for the bulk of the campaign has been in their favour.
But a 2-2 draw at QPR last time out means Leeds United are again making hard work of it. They’ve allowed Sheffield United to draw level on points and Burney in 3rd to move to within just two points.
Missing out on promotion once again would surely cost Daniel Farke his job at Elland Road. But returning Leeds to the big time after a two year hiatus would see him get another crack at the Premier League, and would surely prompt an expensive summer transfer window in West Yorkshire.
Leeds United would have no choice but to spend money on new players and on bumper new contracts in a bid to make themselves competitive in the Premier League next season.
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Whilst clubs need to be more sustainable with how they earn Championship promotion nowadays, once the job is done, then it’s time to spend. Luton Town last season were quite frugal with their money and now they’re heading towards a double relegation back down to League One.
Leeds would have up sign some expensive players and put some likewise names on their wage bill. It’s going to be a stark wake up call to the 49ers and a reminder of just how expensive it is to maintain Premier League football, albeit how lucrative it can be as well.
And ahead of the summer, two such names are being linked with Elland Road moves in Tammy Abraham and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Reports in March have claimed that Osayi-Samuel wants a £2.1million-a-year salary whilst Abraham will demand a £5million-a-year salary to move to a new club in the summer.
Leeds United’s current wage bill compared to Southampton’s
Leeds United are top of the Championship and Southampton bottom of the Premier League table. It might be fair to assume that this Leeds side is miles better than this current Saints side, last season’s play-off final aside, given just how awful the Saints have been this season.
Yet still, Southampton’s current wage bill, per Capology, is £48.5million-per-year compared to Leeds’ £37.2million-a-year. That alone is a stark reminder of just how much Leeds might need to spend to stay competitive next season.
Of course, it comes down to the quality of recruitment as well. Not all money spent is good money spent. But for Leeds, there’s no question of whether or not to spend money in the event of promotion: it’s simply a question of how much, and also where to spend it.
Osayi-Samuel is unproven in the Premier League but Abraham is. Both would want to become the club’s highest-paid player if they joined and that might be the case for any other player who’s approached by Leeds in the summer.
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