Leeds need to splash more cash to stay in Premier League, says owner

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani believes the club needs more investment to be competitive in the Premier League.

Radrizzani watched Marcelo Bielsa's side celebrate their Sky Bet Championship title success by beating Derby County at Pride Park on Sunday, but is already working on plans to ensure Leeds stay in the top flight.

"We have enjoyed fantastic success," said the 45-year-old Italian. "But we've done it in a particular year and the impact of Covid-19 is also hitting the club financially.

"So we will need additional investment to be competitive and to continue our project and our growth and to maintain our position in the Premier League. We will need to add on I think."

Radrizzani, who said he hopes to remain at Elland

Road for the next "10 or 20 years", confirmed initial investment would come from his holding company Aser.

He said he also expected 10 per cent stakeholders the San Francisco 49ers to increase their involvement in the club.

"People have said I would sell in the Premier League, but I have always said I would sell probably if I couldn't achieve the Premier League," he said.

"But in this case I would love to stay 10 years, maybe more, 20, I'm still young. I don't have any rush. I'm enjoying it.

"(The 49ers) have done a good deal investing in the club with me because they see their investment already worth probably 3.5 times higher in terms of value of what they put (in).

"They are obviously good friends, a good partner and I think they could bring more value in the management of the club in the Premier League than what has been done until now.

"I expect them to help us more, step up and potentially in the future years in the Premier League in club management, particularly the stadium and merchandise."

Radrizzani said there were no current plans for Qatar Sports Investments, the owners of Paris St Germain, to invest in the club, but did not rule it out in the future.

"We have a very good friendship," he said. "We have been talking, but to be honest we haven't reached any concrete point of any negotiation.

"But we are really good friends and if they want seriously to come, they can always find my door open for a discussion, but at this moment there's nothing."