Leeds United could face an 'exodus' of star players if they're relegated from the Premier League, The Daily Mail's chief sports reporter Matt Hughes writes.

The lowdown: Relegation threat

Leeds are currently 17th in the Premier League, just two points above the drop zone, and Everton, the side directly below them, possess a game in hand.

The Whites won back their place in the top-flight in 2020 and finished ninth in their first season under Marcelo Bielsa.

But they've plummeted down the table this time around, with the club hierarchy taking the decision to sack Bielsa in February.

Replacement Jesse Marsch is tasked with keeping them afloat, but is reportedly poised to stay on even if they suffer demotion.

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The latest: £90m in sales?

Hughes writes that big names like Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford could all head for the exit door on cut-price deals if Leeds go down.

All three are available for 'around £30m' each under relegation release clauses written into their contracts, potentially leaving Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group with £90m in their pocket but without their three star players.

The verdict: Worse and worse

This is a real worry for Leeds fans and the club's owners.

While they may have prepared for this eventuality, building a squad to secure immediate promotion will be a significant challenge if three of their best players move on.

Raphinha is the team's top scorer this season with ten goals, and Bamford held that title last season after bagging 17.

Phillips, meanwhile, was named England Men's Player of the Year for 2021, underlining his top-drawer status.

When you consider that Raphinha (£45million) and Phillips (£40.5m) are both valued well in excess of £30m by Transfermarkt, then it could hurt even more, and with the serious injury to Stuart Dallas expected to run well into next season, things are just getting worse and worse.

In other news, Leeds have made contact with this winger ahead of the summer window.