‘We agreed’… Managing Director says the 49ers owe him money after Leeds United’s promotion

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Leeds United’s promotion to the Premier League means The 49ers will be forced to shell out a whole heap of cash in terms of clauses, bonuses and wage rises.

When Leeds United were relegated, Phil Hay wrote in The Athletic that every member of the playing staff had their wages reduced between 50-60%. Now promoted, those wages are likely to back up again.

As captain, Ethan Ampadu was asked about a promotion bonus last summer and the Leeds skipper said he wanted an even spread across the whole squad. It sees James Debayo will get the same as Joe Rodon.

In terms of clauses, Leeds will have to pay any promotion clauses inserted into deals to sign players after Daniel Farke took over. Werder Bremen’s managing director has come out of the woodwork for £1m.

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Ilia Gruev’s transfer fee to Leeds United is set to rise to £6m

Left-footed midfielder Gruev has been a crucial part of the run-in, with Pascal Struijk and Joe Rothwell both injured. It has seen Ethan Ampadu drop into defence and Gruev replace him alongside Ao Tanaka.

Now, Werder’s Clemens Fritz has told BILD that he is delighted for Gruev to have secured promotion and confirmed there is a promotion clause in his deal. BILD report that it is £1m, taking an overall fee to £6m.

“It is correct that we agreed on bonus payments as part of the transfer,” Fritz confirmed this week. He added: “We’re delighted that Ilia has achieved promotion with Leeds United. He’s done a great job.”

The three other payments Leeds must make after promotion

Gruev is not the only player to have a promotion clause in his contract, which will see Leeds pay out a fee with The Whites back in the Premier League. It is reported so far, that three other Leeds players do too.

Indeed, Leeds will owe money for Joel Piroe, Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka. The trio have all joined while Leeds were in the Championship from Swansea, Almeria and Dusseldorf and are now owed cash.

It is reported that Leeds will have to pay a £1.8m fee to Swansea for Piroe. Following his arrival, Phil Hay said Leeds had agreed a £16m package with Swansea, but only an initial £10.5m fee would be sent over.