Former QPR director's stark admission justifies Leeds United's controversial transfer decision

Former Queens Park Rangers sporting director Les Ferdinand has detailed the difficulty of selling high earners after relegation in a message that somewhat justifies Leeds United's controversial loan clauses.

Those in charge at Elland Road came in for plenty of criticism last summer amid revelations that recent signings could force a loan exit, following the club's drop into the Championship. Leeds offloaded the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Max Wober and Robin Koch but received no money and had almost no say in the matter due to clauses allowing such players to leave.

A lack of income meant finances were tight but a summer of shrewd business, coupled with the run of form that has seen them go top of the Championship, has eased frustration. And now Ferdinand, who was sporting director at QPR the last time they dropped down, has highlighted the difficulty of finding buyers for big earners - an issue Leeds may have faced, were it not for the loan clauses.

“It's trying to get the balance right but at the same time, you have to understand what your position is,” Ferdinand told Stick To Football. “I went into QPR and when we got relegated, if the owners had said to me ‘the parachute money and everything else will help us get back to the Premier League so go and get the players we need’, I’d say okay.