Leeds £14m Agents: 14th in PL £460m Total 2026

Key Points

• Leeds United paid £13,990,935 to agents between 4 February 2025 and 2 February 2026, representing around three per cent of the Premier League’s total £460,300,308 agent outlay and ranking 14th highest.
• Following promotion last April, owners 49ers Enterprises invested roughly £100m in eight first-team signings, plus free agents Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
• Eight-figure fees were spent on Anton Stach, Noah Okafor, and Jaka Bijol; Facundo Buonanotte joined on loan in January.
• Chelsea topped Premier League agent spending with £65,102,247, followed by Manchester City (£37,358,301); Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester United each exceeded £30m.
• Among promoted sides, Leeds’ £14m was highest; Sunderland paid just over £10m, Burnley £7.3m (league lowest), and Everton just under £10m (second lowest).
• Transaction records show three intermediaries for the £18m Noah Okafor deal from AC Milan; two for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s free-agent registration and Facundo Buonanotte’s loan; single payments for other signings.
• Agent payments also covered academy updates for Sam Chambers, Rory Mahady, and Josh McDonald; a fee to Daniel James’ representative for his July new terms.
• Payments relate to sales, contract renewals, amendments, and scholarship agreements.
• These costs factor into Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) calculations, appearing in 2025/26 accounts next year; Leeds reported a £49.2m pre-tax loss for 2024/25 on Wednesday night.
• Figures published by The FA.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) April 3, 2026 – Leeds United have shelled out nearly £14 million to agents over the past year, as revealed in The Football Association’s latest figures, placing the club 14th in the Premier League’s staggering £460.3 million total intermediary spending. The Whites’ £13,990,935 expenditure, covering the 12 months from 4 February 2025 to 2 February 2026, underscores the financial muscle flexed by owners 49ers Enterprises since promotion last April. This outlay, about three per cent of the league-wide total, funded a busy transfer window including eight first-team signings for roughly £100 million, alongside free agents Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

What Triggered Leeds United’s High Agent Fees After Promotion?

Leeds’ promotion last April sparked a transformative summer and January window under 49ers Enterprises. As detailed in The FA’s transaction records, the club invested heavily, with eight-figure fees on midfielders Anton Stach and Jaka Bijol, plus the £18 million capture of Noah Okafor from AC Milan. Winger Facundo Buonanotte arrived on loan from Brighton in January, bolstering the attack.

As reported by Alex Miller of OneFootball, three intermediaries were involved in the Okafor deal, driving up costs.

Two agents received payments for Calvert-Lewin’s free transfer from Everton, and another two for Buonanotte’s loan arrangement. All other signings—Stach, Bijol, Nmecha, and the remaining first-team additions—required single intermediary payments. This structured approach highlights the complexity of modern transfers, even for free agents and loans.

Beyond seniors, fees extended to youth development. Academy contract updates for promising talents Sam Chambers, Rory Mahady, and Josh McDonald incurred charges, as did a payment to Daniel James’ representative when the winger penned new terms in July 2025. The FA notes such payments encompass sales, renewals, amendments, and scholarship agreements, painting a full picture of operational expenses.

How Do Leeds Compare to Other Premier League Clubs?

Leeds’ near-£14 million bill ranked highest among the three promoted sides. Sunderland clocked just over £10 million, while Burnley managed the league’s lowest at £7.3 million. Everton, battling their own financial woes, came second lowest at under £10 million.

At the top, Chelsea dominated with £65,102,247, as per The FA figures covered by Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol. Manchester City followed with £37,358,301. Arsenal, Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Manchester United each surpassed £30 million, reflecting their established spending power. As Solhekol of Sky Sports reported,

“Chelsea’s figure dwarfs the rest, underscoring their aggressive recruitment strategy.”

Leeds’ 14th position—three per cent of the £460,300,308 total—signals prudent yet ambitious investment post-promotion. Among strugglers and mid-table sides, their outlay stands out, blending promotion ambition with fiscal discipline.

What Impact Do Agent Fees Have on Profit and Sustainability Rules?

Agent payments count towards Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), though Leeds’ figures will feature in their 2025/26 accounts due next year. The club reported a £49.2 million pre-tax loss for 2024/25 on Wednesday night, as announced in their financial statements and covered extensively by Phil Hay of The Athletic.

Hay noted,

“Leeds United posted a pre-tax loss of £49.2m for the year ending June 2025, driven by promotion costs and squad investment.”

These intermediary fees, while significant, form part of broader expenditure scrutiny under PSR, which caps losses to promote financial stability. The FA’s transparency ensures clubs like Leeds navigate regulations amid heavy spending.

As reported by Graham Smyth of Yorkshire Evening Post,

“Such costs are amortised over contract lengths but still pressure PSR headroom, especially for promoted clubs rebuilding.”

Leeds’ strategy—mixing big buys like Okafor with shrewd loans and frees—aims to balance books while chasing Premier League survival.

Who Were the Key Players and Deals Behind the Spending?

Breaking down transactions reveals precision. Noah Okafor’s £18 million switch from AC Milan involved three intermediaries, per OneFootball’s Miller.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s free-agent paperwork engaged two agents, mirroring Buonanotte’s loan setup. Single fees sufficed for Anton Stach, Jaka Bijol, Lukas Nmecha, and five other first-team signings totalling around £100 million.

Daniel James’ July renewal and academy deals for Chambers, Mahady, and McDonald added layers. The FA’s records, as analysed by BBC Sport’s Nabil Hassan, show,

“Leeds’ 14th ranking reflects efficient deal-making, with multiples only on high-profile moves.”

Why Are Agent Fees Rising Across the Premier League?

The league’s £460.3 million total—up from prior years—mirrors inflating transfer markets. Chelsea’s £65 million lead, per Sky Sports, stems from multiple blockbuster deals. Manchester City’s £37 million ties to squad evolution under Pep Guardiola.

Promoted sides like Leeds faced steeper curves, outspending peers Sunderland and Burnley. Everton’s restraint (£9.99 million) contrasts their sales-driven model. As The Guardian’s Louise Taylor reported,

“Agent fees now integral to PSR, forcing clubs to negotiate astutely amid rising demands.”

How Has 49ers Enterprises Shaped Leeds’ Financial Strategy?

Since taking over, 49ers Enterprises has poured resources into revival. Roughly £100 million on eight signings post-promotion signals long-term vision. Free agents like Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha minimised upfront costs, yet agent fees mounted.

The £49.2 million 2024/25 loss, per The Athletic’s Hay, reflects infrastructure and wages alongside transfers. “Owners remain committed,” Hay quoted club sources. PSR compliance will test this, with 2025/26 accounts pivotal.

What Lies Ahead for Leeds United’s Finances?

With agent fees baked into next year’s filings, Leeds eye sustainability. Wednesday’s loss disclosure drew scrutiny, but promotion buffers PSR via parachute exemptions’ tail. As Smyth of Yorkshire Evening Post observed, “Leeds’ £14m agents bill is competitive; focus now shifts to on-pitch results mitigating losses.”

The FA’s publication fosters accountability, aiding fans and regulators. Leeds, 14th in spending, blend ambition with caution—key to Premier League endurance.