Football finance expert Dan Plumley has sent a cautionary message to Leeds United as they prepare to face Southampton in the play-off final. The match, set to take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, will determine which team earns a spot back in the Premier League.
Both Leeds and Southampton were relegated to the Championship last year, finishing 19th and 20th in the table, respectively. With Leicester City and Ipswich Town already securing promotion, only one of these two teams will join them in the top flight.
Leeds advanced to the final by beating Norwich City, while Southampton defeated West Brom in the semi-finals. Plumley believes that if Leeds fail to secure promotion, they will need to raise funds through player sales in the transfer market. However, he cautions that reports of a £100 million figure needed may be overblown.
While there have been rumors of players leaving Elland Road, no official offers have been made yet. Plumley stresses the importance of Sunday’s game in determining the club’s financial future, as promotion could alleviate the need for significant player departures.
Ultimately, the stakes are high for both Leeds and Southampton, with financial implications on the line. The outcome of the play-off final will not only impact the teams on the field but also their financial stability moving forward.
