By Frank McAvennie

14th Oct, 2023 | 4:55am

Pundit fears Leeds United are 'declining' after source's £1.7m reveal

Leeds United could go “further into decline” if their issues with Elland Road are not resolved.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie urged the new owners to sort out any ownership queries around the stadium.

On 11 October, Football Insider revealed that former Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani is charging the club hierarchy £1.7million per year in rent to use Elland Road.

The lease between the two parties is set to run until 2032 and whilst the club were charged the same price last season, when Radrizzani was in charge, £1m of that was loaned back to the club.

Earlier this summer, Radrizzani agreed to sell his controlling stake to 49ers enterprises who have been minority shareholders since 2018.

Radrizzani purchased the stadium during his takeover of the Yorkshire giants back in 2017.

But Football Insider (10 October), that the 49ers have started the process of purchasing shared in the stadium.

McAvennie couldn’t believe that the club are being forced to pay to use their own stadium.

“It is a bit weird,” he told Football Insider.

“I really do not understand that part of the game. It is like renting a house you can’t do anything to it.

“If you are going to buy a football club buy it all. They could go further into decline if they do not get it sorted. Leeds are a huge club and their fans deserve better – if somebody wants to buy them and take them forward, I would hope they would be willing to get it sorted.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire ‘surprised’ by Angus Kinnear’s £40m Leeds United claim.