Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has already warned that the second season in the Premier League is going to be more challenging, and a relegation rival from last season spending £100m on one player is not going to help the Whites’ cause.
Daniel Farke wants to see more ambition from the board this summer. However, Leeds will have to work within the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Ratio rules, which will limit the club’s spending.
However, Leeds are still trying to make upgrades in several areas of their squad and have been linked with a club-record move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Ousmane Diomande.
But Premier League clubs are expected to spend big again this summer, and a relegation rival from last season is pushing to bring in an £100m midfielder in the coming weeks.
Tottenham hold talks with Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali
Leeds looked a more accomplished and secure team last season compared to Tottenham, who just about survived in the Premier League on the final day of the campaign.
Spurs have now finished 17th in back-to-back Premier League seasons, and the hierarchy are keen to see that change under Roberto De Zerbi in the 2026/27 campaign.
Tottenham have already signed Marco Senesi and Andy Robertson on free transfers. However, the club are now pushing to sign Newcastle star Sandro Tonali.
It emerged on Monday that Spurs want the Italy midfielder, and according to The Athletic, the north London club have held positive talks with his camp.
Tonali is said to be open to a move to Tottenham in the upcoming transfer window and is keen to move on from Newcastle this summer.
Magpies have been expecting offers for the midfielder this summer. However, they have slapped a £100m price tag on the Italian.
With Manchester City ready to pay more than £120m for Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Newcastle believe they can get a premium fee for Tonali.
Leeds can’t match this level of spending power
The Whites spent just over £100m on 10 new players last summer, when the squad needed an overhaul following promotion to the Premier League.
One would expect that they could spend more this year, but they need player sales, and the Squad Cost Ratio rules are not optimal for a club of Leeds’ revenue at the moment.
Marathe has already acknowledged that it could take another two or three seasons in the Premier League before Leeds are able to operate like a fully established top-flight club.
And even then, it’s hard to see how Leeds end up spending £100m on a single player, without Champions League qualification in the near future.
