Leeds United’s spending power in the upcoming January transfer window may be significantly reduced after BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope revealed that Whites chairman Andrea Radrizzani is in the midst of an expensive court case.
The trial is believed to be costing Radrizzani and his fellow defendants a massive £50m for the court proceedings alone.
This development comes as the Whites prepare for what could be a crucial transfer window for their Premier League survival, with reinforcements needed in key positions in order to prevent the Yorkshire club risking a slip into the bottom three. With such a financially draining court case unfolding, Radrizzani’s capacity to invest significantly in the squad will naturally find itself curtailed somewhat.
The large-scale court case stems from the 2016 sale of Radrizzani’s sports marketing agency MP & Silva. In order to spread the cost of the trial, Radrizzani and the other defendants are requesting for the proceedings themselves to be split into three parts.
The £50m total sum may increase even further if Radrizzani’s party were to lose the case, a regrettable outcome for Leeds fans as it will hinder the Leeds chairman’s ability to invest even further.
Pope revealed the news on the most recent edition of the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet Podcast [21st November], stating:
“The defendants are asking for the trial to be put into three parts because a single trial would cost £50 million, just the cost of the trial, never mind who wins.
“And if you’re having to fork out of that, surely that’s going to affect your cashflow to put into your other businesses, which would include Leeds United. That’s if you don’t lose.
“The judge has said ‘no’ at this stage and wants an alternative put forward by the defendants, so that’s one to watch because they might just impact on, might be speculating here, where it goes forward, how much cash he needs to continue with his businesses, what he can put into Leeds United.
“That was all meant to be set for next year. As we know, in 2024 the 49ers have the option to buy the club in its entirety.
“It just makes me a little bit puzzled as to who’s going to be holding the purse strings come January for what is probably the most important window, and we say it every year, in the last few years.
“This could be about surviving the Premier League, again, and everything that rests on it, which includes ground redevelopment and pushing the club forward, and of course Jesse Marsch’s future.”
Another twist in the tale
This would have been the last thing that Leeds supporters would have wanted to hear with the January transfer window looming, with many already questioning Radrizzani’s ability to invest in the side.
With a takeover by 49ers Enterprises reportedly happening in the Whites’ near-future, this news will increase calls within the fanbase to expedite the process in order to secure potential for investment in January.
As the transfer window draws ever-closer, this case – and its impact on Radrizzani’s finances – is certainly something to keep an eye on.
