Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani vows ‘to play’ once the Whites win promotion. Aston Villa are doing just that.
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani made a bold pledge last month, that the financial shackles would come off if the Whites win promotion.
He told Talksport: “I start to play when I go up. At the moment I’m just observing football.”
While many Leeds fans would prefer the owner throws more money at the club now, the Championship’s financial fair play rules would prevent an overspend.
Television money from the Premier League would free up Leeds to be aggressive in the transfer market.
Aston Villa are doing exactly that after winning promotion through the play-offs.
Villa’s success was built around loans and budget signings, with Tammy Abraham, Axel Tuanzebe and Tyrone Mings brought in on temporary deals, and John McGinn joining for just £2.5 million.
Now in the Premier League, Villa’s owners are ‘starting to play’.
Already Villa have splashed out £22 million on Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes, The Telegraph report. They have also wrapped up deals for loanees Kortney Hause and Anwar El Ghazi.
The Sun has linked them with a £30 million move for Lewis Dunk, while The Argus suggests they could hijack Brighton’s £18 million move for winger Leandro Trossard.
Villa have even been linked with raiding Leeds for Kalvin Phillips [Telegraph], showing their position of strength.
This is the type of transfer window which could await Leeds next summer, especially if new investors come to the party.
A long season awaits first, and like Villa did, they must earn the right to unlock the riches of the Premier LEague.
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