According to Phil Hay, Leeds United will have to navigate financial fair play restrictions this summer, with the new owners’ capacity to invest constrained while outside the Premier League.
The summer business of Daniel Farke and the 49ers has finally begun, with the £7m transfer of Chelsea and Wales defender Ethan Ampadu confirmed on July 19, but there is little possibility of significant monies being spent at Elland Road.
While the takeover of Leeds was slow but ultimately granted, fans have already seen the departures of Rodrigo Moreno and Brendan Aaronson, and Wilfried Gnonto and Ilian Meslier have been linked with transfers elsewhere.
However, Athletic’s Hay believes Ampadu’s signing demonstrates how Leeds’ new owners are likely to act. “Paying £7m for Ampadu is the first sign of how 49ers Enterprises intends to go at this window,” he said about the Welshman’s deal.There are restrictions to how much the business can invest in the EFL and financial fair play demands that must be controlled, but the talk was of an aggressive approach to the transfer market while its buyout of Andrea Radrizzani was pending permission.
“Aggressive in terms of the players Leeds attempted to sign, as well as aggressive in terms of the players they attempted to keep.” Ampadu makes a significant splash in the sense that a £10 million contract is a relatively large deal in the Championship.”
It’s a different ball game.
Leeds’ transfer dealings has received a lot of attention in recent years, with previous owner Radrizzani addressing the blunders he believes led to the club’s relegation last season. However, the signing of Ampadu appears to be a no-brainer.
Most Championship clubs wish they could spend £10 million on a single player, but the Welshman provides good value for money. With almost 40 senior international caps in the backline and midfield at the age of 22, he has experience much beyond his years.
Furthermore, he has Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga experience, and while some may refer to his three successive relegations, that dismal record extends much beyond his individual accomplishments.
Farke understands what it takes to win the Championship twice without spending millions of pounds on every window. The linkages to slightly shrewd acquisitions such as Ampadu and the related Karl Darlow are quality additions that will not push the FFP regulations too far.
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