Leeds United’s failure to win promotion is going to restrict them in the transfer market this summer.
Though Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Daniel Farke, it is not going to be anywhere near the same ballpark as what they could’ve spent had they gone up.
The Premier League have been tightening their restrictions on PSR in the last year or so with points deductions to both Everton and Nottingham Forest, but the EFL is still considerably tighter.
In the second season after relegation, parachute payments are reduced, and so revenue must be found in other ways, most likely through the sale of some key players.
The lucrative sponsorship deal from Red Bull will help Leeds in terms of leeway in the market, but it is still going to be difficult to compete with Premier League sides.
Journalist shares update on Leeds’ Ben Johnson interest
The free agent market could certainly be an interesting area for Leeds to target this summer, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid among those linked so far.
But whether they can get those sort of deals done is likely to heavily rely on whether they are competing against Premier League clubs, who can offer higher wages and top-flight football.
West Ham United defender Ben Johnson is someone who falls under that category, with Leeds having also previously targeted a move for him in January.
Though the Hammers say they remain in talks over a new deal, Johnson is expected to leave on a free this month after rejecting several offers of a new deal.
However, speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has said Leeds will find it difficult to lure him into the Championship due to his wage demands.
He said: “Ben Johnson, I would be surprised if he drops into the Championship if I am being honest given the wages he wanted, I don’t think that would be available in the Championship.
“It is different when it comes to Leeds because they still have Premier League money, Red Bull money coming in. Parachute money is still there so Leeds can offer more than a lot of Championship clubs.
“It is the sort of player you can imagine Leeds would be looking at, but it will be tough to persuade him to drop out of the Premier League.”
West Ham expert gives verdict on Johnson to Leeds
Johnson was handed just four Premier League starts for West Ham last season, but did earn some ‘fantastic‘ praise from David Moyes after a win at Wolves in April.
However, according to West Ham expert Tony Martin at Hammers News, Johnson’s progression has ‘regressed’ considerably over the last couple of seasons, with his lack of game time of little surprise.
He said: “He was rated incredibly highly when he came through, but he regressed badly in the last 2 years. Hugely frustrating because he has all of the tools. Looked like the real deal but is a shadow of his former self now.
“His positional awareness is absolutely abysmal, he tends to go to sleep during games. It’s no surprise he only played 530 minutes for us in the Premier League this season.”