Lewis Cook's move to Bournemouth could financially set his family up for the next three generations, so lucrative is it, Leeds United CEO Ben Mansford has revealed.
The Leeds academy product was sold by the Yorkshire giants to Bournemouth earlier this summer and has followed in the footsteps of his former team-mate and another academy product in the shape of Sam Byram in playing in the Premier League; Byram joined West Ham earlier this year.
Leeds had been hoping to keep hold of Cook, but the riches of the Premier League and the chance to play in the top flight proved too much for the midfielder to resist.
And Mansford feels with the money on offer any player in the Football League would seriously consider a proposal from a Premier League outfit.
He told LUTV: "We have to remember that the Premier League, and especially this summer, you're seeing clubs that you would never dream of paying 20s, 30s, 40s millions for players.
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"They are now able to do that through the new television deal.
"The financial pressure that is put onto the Championship now that half of the teams have parachute payments and half of them don't, means that what is a good Championship wage at this wonderful club is somewhat…the financial divide now between what you can pay as a really competitive Championship wage and what is a rank and file Premier League wage, means that Lewis has a responsibility to him and his family", the CEO continued.
"And what that deal may do for Lewis is it may set up the next two or three generations of his family if he is well advised with that money.
"I think for a young English player, when the Premier League comes knocking and you are lower down in the Football League it can be very hard, whether it's through football or finance to say no", he added.
Cook had only a year left on his contract with Leeds, placing the Yorkshire giants in a tricky position in the summer transfer window.
And they face losing another young talent in the shape of left-back Charlie Taylor, who also has only a year left on his deal and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
