EXCLUSIVE: Leeds face star exodus due to relegation release clauses

Leeds are facing a potential exodus of top players if they are relegated from the Premier League with a host of top-flight rivals ready to trigger release clauses if Jesse Marsch's side go down to the Championship.

Sportsmail has learned that most of Leeds' stars, including Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford, will be available for modest fees averaging around £30million if they are relegated.

Club owner Andrea Radrizzani has given release clauses to most players, unlike other relegation-threatened clubs such as Everton.

Leeds' players will also face compulsory pay-cuts if they stay at Elland Road in the event of relegation. 

It is understood that most of the players' contracts stipulate pay-cuts of between 20 and 50 per cent in the Championship, which will put the club on a sustainable footing given their wage-bill has almost trebled to £108m since they were promoted two years ago.

Leeds are relaxed about the situation and confident of keeping much of the squad intact, as Phillips and Raphinha in particular are expected to attracted bids from multiple clubs, which would take their price far above their release clauses. 

Another concern is the prospect of being forced to pay £18m to RB Leipzig this summer for Jean-Kevin Augustin if their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport goes against them, despite the fact the French striker left the club two years ago.

Leeds agreed an obligation to buy Augustin if they were promoted after he joined the club on loan when they were in the Championship, but refused to pay Leipzig as the France under-21 international's short-term deal expired before the end of the Covid-extended 2019/20 campaign. 

FIFA ruled in the German club's favour, leading Leeds to appeal to CAS,