Leeds United have been mindful of their PSR spending last summer. They ensured they remained within the Premier League’s financial rules, but did not do enough to strengthen the squad.
Robbie Evans, the Leeds managing director, conceded at the end of the summer that any more big signings would not have been possible as they had maxed out their PSR spending.
Leeds fans were left frustrated by the lack of spending, and it is evident that the squad are short of the quality required to survive in the Premier League this season.
The club remained PSR compliant. However, Leeds are now in deep trouble as the Premier League are set to usher in new financial rules next year, and the Whites are in a dire position.
Leeds United are staring at a new Premier League announcement
The Premier League clubs have voted in new financial rules that tie the club’s spending power to their revenue from next season onwards.
The new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) shifts the focus firmly onto player-related spending and, unlike the current PSR system, offers limited scope to offset wages and transfer fees through non-football income.
SCR caps expenditure on player and head-coach wages, transfer amortisation and agent fees as a percentage of relevant income, which includes a portion of recent player-sale profits.
UEFA already applies a 70 percent limit; in the Premier League, the cap will be 85 percent, known as the Green Threshold. Clubs exceeding this but staying below the Red Threshold of 115 percent (from 2026/27) will face fines and a reduced future threshold, but no sporting penalties. Breaching the Red Threshold will result in a minimum six-point deduction.
Crucially, player-sale profits will be averaged over the previous three seasons, meaning only a third of any quick-sale profit counts toward current-year compliance.
Leeds United are one of the worst-performing clubs under the new rule
Even before the new rules kick in, Leeds United have breached the Premier League’s green threshold, and only Fulham and Bournemouth are in a worse position.
If Leeds are still in the Premier League next season, the club will have to find a way to reorder their finances to ensure they are in a safe region again.
They are spending 88 percent of their revenue on player and head-coach wages, transfer amortisation and agent fees, and are at the bottom three of the table.
| Club | Progress to limit | % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 49% | Safe | |
| Spurs | 52% | Safe | |
| Man Utd | 57% | Safe | |
| Man City | 60% | Safe | |
| Liverpool | 61% | Safe | |
| Arsenal | 62% | Safe | |
| West Ham | 69% | Safe | |
| Brentford | 71% | Watch | |
| Burnley | 73% | Watch | |
| Chelsea | 76% | Watch | |
| Everton | 77% | Watch | |
| Crystal Palace | 77% | Watch | |
| Newcastle | 78% | Watch | |
| Wolves | 81% | Risk | |
| Aston Villa | 86% | Risk | |
| Nottingham Forest | 87% | Risk | |
| Leeds | 88% | Risk | |
| Fulham | 91% | Risk | |
| Bournemouth | 104% | Breach |
Leeds have to find a way to either increase revenue in the next couple of seasons or curb expenditure to remain compliant with the new rules.
The club hope to begin work on expanding the stadium, which will increase revenue and bring in more lucrative sponsorship deals.
However, if Leeds do not act, and they are still in the Premier League next season, the summer transfer window could be one of the most frustrating ones for the fans.
