Leeds told ‘very risky’ transfer strategy could leave them on a par with Fulham and Bournemouth

Joe Williams
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch looks gutted

Leeds United’s “very risky” transfer strategy could leave them with a squad no better than Fulham or Bournemouth, according to former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Yorkshire side sold Kalvin Phillips to Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this week for £45m, while they are asking for £65m for Raphinha, who also looks set for the exit door this summer.

That has left a few doubts over their ability to adequately replace them and maintain their Premier League status for another season.


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Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Rasmus Christensen and Marc Roca have all arrived from abroad, while Darko Gyabi is their only domestic signing with the young midfielder signing from Manchester City.

And Agbonlahor is concerned that their signings have a lack of Premier League experience to call upon, pointing to Newcastle United’s signings of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier in January as examples of how to successfully buy existing Premier League players.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “It’s very risky. The Premier League is different. The Premier League has swallowed a lot of players up from different leagues.

“If I was Leeds, I’d be looking at Premier league experience. A bit like Newcastle did at first with Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier, players that can add that Premier League experience, you can rely on them and know they don’t need time to settle.

“The Premier League will be tougher next season, there are a lot of teams strengthening. When the season starts they might look at their squad and think ‘We haven’t even got a better squad than Fulham and Bournemouth’. That’s a dangerous thing.

“If I was Leeds, I’d start looking at players with Premier League experience.”

Meanwhile, former Premier League right-back Alan Hutton has tipped Leeds “struggle next season” and isn’t completely convinced by the signing of Adams from RB Leipzig.

“I think they’re going to have to strengthen a few areas,” Hutton told Football Insider. “I mean, Raphinha looks like he’ll be out the door, Kalvin Phillips has gone.

“They’re your main players so with all the injuries and everything that they went through last season, the positions that they really struggled in – Kalvin Phillips when he was injured so centre-mid, [Patrick] Bamford when he was out, striker.

“These are difficult positions to go and meet your top targets. You need to spend a lot of money. So I worry for them.

“I know they’ve signed Tyler Adams, the manager knows him well I’ve seen him play against Rangers so I know he’s a decent player. I don’t know what he’ll be like in the Premier League week in week out we’ll have to wait and see.

“But Leeds need players in the door that know what the Premier League is all about because if they don’t, and don’t do it quickly, I think they could struggle next season.”