Lee Sharpe has insisted “a couple” of Leeds United stars could leave the club if they do not win promotion to the Premier League this season.
This comes as both Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray have been linked with possible departures from Elland Road when the transfer window opens this summer.
Sharpe went on to explain that Leeds will have plans in place to deal with their players but questioned whether they could afford to keep them beyond this season.
Speaking to The Real EFL [18 April], Sharpe shared: “What sort of money are they on? Can the club afford to keep them? Do they have to get rid of them?
“I’m sure they’ve got plans for all this but you would certainly think that a couple of the star players would certainly leave to Premier League clubs if they don’t get up this season.”
Will key players leave Leeds United in the transfer window?
Given the extensive transfer links to the likes of Summerville and Gray, it’s hard to imagine Daniel Farke keeping every player in his current squad at Elland Road beyond the end of the season, regardless of whether they are promoted.
However, should they remain in the second division, it seems almost certain that key players will be on their way out, looking for possible Premier League moves or even opportunities to play elsewhere in Europe.
Recent financial records at Elland Road suggested player sales were keeping Leeds within the limits of PSR after Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha left the club, with further sales likely needed to keep the club within the rules.
This would become an even stronger need if they were to remain in the Championship given the harsher financial rules involved and the loss of revenue, with the Premier League offering a significantly more lucrative financial package.
