Burnley boss Sean Dyche has joked about transfer expenditure in the Premier League following his side's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend, even dropping Leeds United's name into the ring.
Newcastle were able to call upon Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson from the bench against the Clarets; a £40 million duo who ultimately turned the game on its head and sent Steve Bruce's men home with all three points having gone a goal down in the first half.
After the match, Dyche was questioned over whether he was 'envious' of teams who were able to spend large sums on players, given the Turf Moor club's relative penny-pinching in recent transfer windows.
"I believe in my players and what we're trying to do here. It's been like that ever since I've been here. I didn't think we'd be spending fortunes.
"I had to laugh, actually, someone made a comment about Leeds, said they'd only spent £100 million, that'd be nice.
"We've spent £750,000 so that's a challenge, but no look we've got some good players here, some good young players, they'll learn but at the minute it is a challenge," Dyche said, dropping Leeds' name into the mix.
It's true that Leeds United spent close to £100 million on summer incomings, but much of that was deemed necessary expenditure to bring a Championship squad up to code in the Premier League.
Rodrigo Moreno became the club's record signing at around £27 million, while Robin Koch, Raphinha and Diego Llorente were all signed for fees between £15-20 million.
That said, the structuring of these deals meant that Leeds were not paying such sums up front, and they will subsequently be staggered across numerous seasons.
By comparison this year, Burnley have only spent money on one incoming deal: Dale Stephens from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The year before, Dyche forked out upwards of £20 million on players, include £2.5 million on Leeds United's Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
However, his perceived aggravation at the comparable sums spent by Burnley and Leeds may not be directed at the Whites.
Last year, Burnley were one of four profitable clubs in the Premier League. Most top flight owners make losses in order to spend big on transfer fees and wages, aiming to better their club's standing in the league.
Leeds United recently published accounts for the 2019-20 season which announced a £62 million annual loss, deemed a necessary measure to reach the top flight.
Even after Burnley secured a takeover by ALK Capital earlier this season, it emerged that the club were financially worse off due to the fact that the club's money had been leveraged in the buyout deal.
Dyche's gripe over transfer expenditure may seem pointed towards Leeds and other clubs willing to spend large sums, but in actual fact, could be directed at those running his own club instead.
