Split image of Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe and Sunderland chief Kyril Louis-Dreyfus
Credit: Imago
Aheed Abrar
Wed 1 April 2026 17:10, UK
Leeds United should take lessons from Sunderland over their transfer model.
The English FA released figures on agent fees that Premier League clubs have paid between 4 February 2025 and 2 February 2026, with the Whites spending around £14million.
In that same period, Sunderland spent a little over £10.6m on agent fees and currently sit 10 points above the West Yorkshire outfit in the league table.
Paraag Marathe and 49ers Enterprises pride themselves on data-driven recruitment in LS11, but Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has seemingly found a better way of conducting business.
Daniel Farke signed 11 players at Elland Road in the last two transfer windows, compared to the Wearside outfit’s 17, clearly highlighting who’s getting a better bang for their buck.
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Daniel Farke must envy Regis Le Bris at Leeds United
Farke has arguably been hard done by the 49ers at Leeds, with fans frustrated with the lack of quality investment in the squad.
The Whites seem reluctant to spend hefty sums on players who can make a big difference under the German manager.
Leeds
Transfer window Players signed Money spent
Summer 10 Around £100m
Winter 1 £0m
Sunderland
Transfer window Players signed Money spent
Summer 14 Around £160m
Winter 3 Around £24m
Leeds and Sunderland comparison in last two transfer windows
Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki were targets at Elland Road last summer, but Sunderland arguably stole them from under the West Yorkshire outfit’s noses.
One must wonder why the Wearside outfit were able to beat the Peacocks to signings despite spending considerably less on agent fees.
Marathe should have been able to entice more representatives to prioritise the Whites as their players’ next destination, but it looks like the American can learn a thing or two from Louis-Dreyfus.
Paraag Marathe has one transfer priority after Premier League survival
If Leeds manage to survive the drop this season, Marathe surely has to prioritise backing Farke in the summer transfer window.
Leeds United reported losses from 2021-22 to 2023-24 seasons. 49ers member Paraag Marathe in front of graphic.
Credit: Imago
Several players in the squad clearly aren’t good enough if the Whites have any ambition of re-establishing themselves in the English top flight.
The West Yorkshire outfit also need to break some of their chains regarding spending hefty sums on quality signings who can be game-changers at Elland Road.
With the Peacocks’ supporters wanting to see their team climb further up the table, Marathe needs to put his money where his mouth is, albeit in a more effective manner.