MORE LEEDS SALES ON WAY- CHAIRMAN: Sporting Life | Euro 2004 Football News, Live Scores, Results & Comment: "MORE LEEDS SALES ON WAY- CHAIRMAN
Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner has warned the Yorkshire club's fans to expect more departures next week as the club seeks to halve their Premiership wage bill.
James Milner, previously thought to be untouchable by Leeds fans, has departed for Newcastle in deal worth up to �5million while Australia international Mark Viduka has all but completed a �4million move to Middlesbrough.
And Krasner said: 'We haven't finished yet. I won't discuss what's happening next week but there's a number of options.'
Paul Robinson and Alan Smith have already left and, although Milner's departure in particular has alarmed Leeds fans, the chairman wanted to make it clear that slashing costs at the club had to be a priority.
He added: 'This was the plan from day one. The wage bill was �40million last season, next season it has to be below �20million.'
The emergence of Milner, 18, was one of the few bright spots of Leeds' season but he signed a five-year deal with Newcastle on Friday.
However, Krasner believes the money generated by the move will allow manager Kevin Blackwell to bring in the players needed for a swift return to the top flight.
He said: 'We received an offer (for Milner) and we put it to him. It's allowed us to give Kevin fund to bring players in.
'There will be players coming in to get us back into the Premiership.'"
Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner has warned the Yorkshire club's fans to expect more departures next week as the club seeks to halve their Premiership wage bill.
James Milner, previously thought to be untouchable by Leeds fans, has departed for Newcastle in deal worth up to �5million while Australia international Mark Viduka has all but completed a �4million move to Middlesbrough.
And Krasner said: 'We haven't finished yet. I won't discuss what's happening next week but there's a number of options.'
Paul Robinson and Alan Smith have already left and, although Milner's departure in particular has alarmed Leeds fans, the chairman wanted to make it clear that slashing costs at the club had to be a priority.
He added: 'This was the plan from day one. The wage bill was �40million last season, next season it has to be below �20million.'
The emergence of Milner, 18, was one of the few bright spots of Leeds' season but he signed a five-year deal with Newcastle on Friday.
However, Krasner believes the money generated by the move will allow manager Kevin Blackwell to bring in the players needed for a swift return to the top flight.
He said: 'We received an offer (for Milner) and we put it to him. It's allowed us to give Kevin fund to bring players in.
'There will be players coming in to get us back into the Premiership.'"
