Kieran Maguire's Leeds United PSR verdict ahead of major summer sales deadline — YEP 26/6/24
By Will Jackson
The end of the 2023-24 account period comes on June 30 with
some clubs needing to do business before that date
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Leeds United
are in a strong position as they approach the end of the current accounting
period. The 2023-24 accounting period will come to an end on Sunday with the
new season officially starting on July 1, as far as club finances are
concerned.
As such, as we saw last summer, June 30 could almost act as
a mini transfer deadline day as clubs strive to balance the books and ensure
they are compliant with the profit and sustainability rules that are so
prevalent in today's game. Moves could well be made then and with some teams
needing to offload players, surprisingly low prices may be seen.
However, Maguire doesn't believe Leeds will be forced into
selling any one at a fee considered to be short of their market value, with the
club said to be comfortable financially leading up to June 30.
"Those clubs who realise they're likely to breach PSR
have to generate income in a relatively short period and the only way they can
do that is through asset sales," Maguire said, per the Yorkshire Post.
"The previous season Everton sold Richarlison (to
Tottenham Hotspur) on June 30. Clearly there is pressure now on clubs close to
the limit.
"If everybody's aware individual clubs are under
pressure they will low-ball in terms of the prices. Brennan Johnson's market
value did not go from £30m to £45m between the end of June and the end of
August. The clubs trying to buy were trying to low-ball and if I was in their
position I would do exactly the same.
"But I think from a PSR point of view Leeds are in a
relatively strong position. I'm one of the more relaxed people with regards to
their PSR position. They might sell a player but will they have to sell a
player for a huge discount? I see no evidence to support that."
Leeds have allowed Jack Harrison to leave this summer, with
the winger set to spend a second season on loan with Everton, while Marc Roca
is on the verge of joining Real Betis permanently it seems. A host of other
players have been linked away, though, with the futures of Crysencio
Summerville, Archie Gray and Wilfried Gnonto appearing uncertain at this point.
Summerville appears the most likely to leave at present,
with the Dutchman being monitored by a raft of top flight teams, while Brighton
have reportedly gone as far as to make an enquiry with the club. Such interest
comes as no surprise given the winger’s form in the Championship last season.
Ultimately, after missing out on promotion, the club may
have to make difficult decisions in regards to sales down the line, with
chairman Paraag Marathe suggesting the club would need to ‘trade’ when speaking
in the days that followed the Championship play-off final. Leeds have the power
to hold out for the best possible fee on any player they sell between now and
the deadline day on August 30, though, it seems