Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan thinks the Whites will have to spend between £15m and £20m if they want to challenge for promotion to the Premier League next season.
Under head coach Steve Evans the Whites have steered clear of relegation worries in the Championship and pushed up into the top half of the table. However, the playoffs and the automatic promotion places have always been well out of reach for Leeds all season long.
Evans is hopeful he can change that next season, though he wants backing in the transfer market, and Whelan does not see how a promotion challenging team can be built for less than £15m to £20m.
He wrote in his Yorkshire Evening Post column: "You are talking about three or four quality players who are going to cost £5m plus [each].
"You can't just keep thinking 'well, I'll buy average which will get us up' because it won't get you up", he continued.
relatedNewsStory
Whelan also feels that the wage structure needs tearing to pieces at Elland Road because players that make the difference command more in wages.
He added: "The wage structure has to go out of the window because certain players get paid more because they are game changers."
It remains to be seen whether Leeds supremo Massimo Cellino is prepared to sink more money into the club to fund a substantial summer spending spree.
However, the Italian has offered a partial refund on season tickets if Leeds do not at least make the playoff places next term.
