Leeds are in the process of restructuring the club

The Thorp Arch facility will be leased back to Leeds over 25 years with the club having the option of buying it back if finances improve.

Leeds have now reduced their debts from more than �100m to in the region of �25m, with the sale saving �4m.

"There is nothing wrong with sale and lease back, it's not the bottom end of the market," said director Mark Helme.

He continued: "There will be a satisfactory buy-back clause so that if the club wanted to take the training ground back under ownership, it can do.

"If you do a sale and lease back it gives you much greater security of tenure - we have a guaranteed right to use the facilities.

Preston reject Healy bid

"The public's perception is wrong, they don't understand that most of the main institutions in this country, like high street banks and building societies, do not own their own premises."

Helme argued the move is necessary to help safeguard the future of the club and said offers are being considered to reach a similar agreement with Elland Road.

"It's a possibility. We're talking to several parties at the moment, but nothing is concrete.

"Obviously at some stage we're looking to restructure the whole of the finances of the club in order to put things on a higher footing.

"We're having to run a very tight ship for obvious reasons.

"We would love somebody to come in with huge investment to enable us to spend more money on players, but as yet that has not happened.

"It's very important after everything that has happened that a period of consolidation takes place."

Leeds were relegated from the Premiership last season and have since sold most of their first-team squad to reduce their wage bill.

But the club have made �100,000 available to manager Kevin Blackwell to spend in the transfer market and he is expected to make a bid for Preston striker David Healy.