Leeds United often find themselves losing top talent, who go on to be sold for big profit.
Derby’s Bradley Johnson celebrates scoring their first goal
Leeds United have had plenty of talented players in recent years, but they often end up heading elsewhere before Leeds fans get the most out of them.
They then often move on again, leaving fans at Elland Road wondering how they missed out on impressive transfer fees.
From the past five seasons these are the big exits from Leeds, and the resale values of those players.
2011-12
Kasper Schmeichel, £1m to Leicester City
After just one season at Leeds the Dane was sold to The Foxes for a fee reported by the Daily Mail to be in the region of £1 million.
It was a controversial move which saw titt-for-tatt between the Dane and then Leeds boss Simon Grayson.
He remains at Leicester and helped them to the Premier League title last season.
He has been linked with plenty of moves away from the King Power recently and would likely command a £20 million fee.
Bradley Johnson, free transfer to Norwich City
He left the club on a free transfer after Leeds failed to negotiate a deal for his extension. He went on to establish himself as a star at Norwich before joining Derby County in a deal reported by the Eastern Daily Press to be worth up to £7.5 million.
Leeds United’s Jonny Howson celebrates scoring his sides second goal with Max Gradel
Max Gradel, £1.7m to Saint-Etienne
Originally joining on loan from Leicester in 2009 the Ivorian became a fan favourite at Elland Road.
That saw him catch the eye of French side Saint-Etienne, who paid £1.7 million for the player according to Bleacher Report.
He went on to join Bournemouth for a fee in the region of £7 million, as reported by the Daily Mail, although Leeds did receive a small pay-out due to a sell-on clause.
2012-13
Adam Clayton, £350k to Huddersfield Town
The midfielder was sold to the club’s West Yorkshire rivals for a fee of £350,000, according to the Huddersfield Examiner.
After two good seasons with the club, he joined Middlesbrough in a transfer worth £2 million according to the Gazette.
West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass looks dejected
Robert Snodgrass, £3m to Norwich City
The Scot joined several other former Leeds players at Carrow Road and quickly established himself in Norfolk.
He joined Hull for a fee reported by the BBC to be in the region of £6 million in 2014.
In January he joined West Ham, the club reporting he cost them £10.2 million.
2014-15
Ross McCormack £11m
Leeds had little choice but to sell the Scotland striker considering the price Fulham were willing to pay for him.
After continuing his good form at Craven Cottage he joined Aston Villa last summer for a fee reported by the BBC to be worth £12 million.
He has struggled at Villa Park, and is currently out on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack celebrates after scoring their second goal
Gboly Ariyibi, free transfer to Chesterfield
The American winger struggled with injury at Leeds and joined Chesterfield on a free transfer.
The speedster impressed in the lower leagues and in the winter Nottingham Forest snapped him up. The fee is undisclosed.
2015-16
Nicky Ajose, Free transfer to Swindon Town
Signed by Dave Hockaday the striker did not get a run of games at Leeds. Released at the end of his first season he went on to score 25 goals in 40 games for Swindon.
Signed by Charlton in the summer for a fee reported to be £800k by the BBC.
Combined, the players on this list have been resold for a differential of £29.45 million.
West Ham’s Sam Byram prepares to take a throw in
Leeds also sold Sam Byram to West Ham last season and Lewis Cook and Alex Mowatt have also moved on, with the fear they may go on to prove themselves worth more than their price-tags.
Leeds face a battle to keep hold of prized assets Charlie Taylor, Chris Wood and Ronaldo Vieira this summer.
Looking at the list of names to have been sold by the club in the past, they should do everything to keep hold of them.
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