Leeds United are preparing for a busy summer transfer window ahead which could mean that the free agent market is a useful tool for the board, according to the latest reports.
The Whites’ failure to earn promotion at the first time of asking has plunged the club into a difficult financial situation. The West Yorkshire outfit currently have £190 million in outstanding credit from previous player purchases over the past few seasons and football finance expert Kieran Maguire last week announced that £73 million of this colossal figure would need to be paid to creditors by the end of June.
In the aftermath of the side’s defeat at Wembley Stadium to Southampton in the play-off final, Leeds United have also announced that global energy drink brand Red Bull have bought a minority stake in the club and have penned a multi-year contract to become their front-of-shirt sponsor.
Leeds United Set To Make Key Transfer Decision On £5 Million Star
While this offers Leeds a much-needed injection in cash, the board may still be hampered in the transfer market as players will need to be sold before new arrivals are brought through the doors at Elland Road. Chairman Paraag Marathe had this to say about the upcoming summer window [quotes via BBC]:
“We have the funds we need to do what we need, but there will need to be some trade-offs because of [profit and sustainability rules].”
Nevertheless, due to the financial handicaps that may be imposed on the club over the coming weeks, the Whites are rumoured to be ready to dip into the free-agent market. According to HITC, Leeds are hoping to sign Sheffield United attacker Daniel Jebbison this summer as the centre-forward is out of contract, provided that the 20-year-old doesn’t sign a new deal to remain at Bramall Lane. Everton, Brighton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town are also interested in the Leeds target.
Speaking to Leeds United News about Jebbison’s links to Elland Road, the journalist who broke the story, Graeme Bailey, has revealed that the club’s technical director, Gretar Steinsson, is the one who is most keen on the young forward.
“He is the sort of player Gretar Steinsson wants. Young, physical, something different to what they have in the squad, obviously youth. It would be a good deal, he is only young,” Bailey said.
“There would be compensation to play but it wouldn’t be very expensive in terms of actual market value. It represents a good deal on all fronts really if they can get it over the line. It would be a decent coup because there is a lot of interest in him.”
Writer’s View
Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, in which Sheffield United were dismally relegated from the Premier League after picking up merely 16 points in 38 matches, Jebbison made just one appearance for the club and now looks set to walk away for nothing.
With the likes of Leeds United, Everton, Brighton, Ipswich and Leicester all keeping tabs on the goalscorer’s situation at Bramall Lane, he could be making a mistake by signing a new contract, particularly if he’s not getting enough game-time right now, although the South Yorkshire side recently admitted that talks were ongoing with Jebbison to keep him at the club.
