Forget Deadpool at Wrexham - I simulated a wild Leeds United takeover by Gladiator actor Russell Crowe

Celebrity investments in football clubs seem to be a major feature of the modern game. Whether it’s the Class of 92 at Salford City, NFL legend Tom Brady at Birmingham City or Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, famous investors are becoming more commonplace at all levels of the game - and that got us thinking. What impact would famous fans have if they invested at their favourite clubs.

Next up is Russell Crowe, the man famous for playing lead roles in Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. The Oscar winner is known to support Leeds United and has previously hinted he would be keen to invest at Elland Road at some point.

So how would the summer play out if Crowe invested in Leeds and was immediately installed as chairman at Elland Road? We fired up Football Manager 2024, used the editor to update the Whites squad to their current state and installed Crowe as chairman from the end of the current season. To start on a positive note, Leeds are now a Premier League club after ending the season as runners-up in the Championship and securing a return to the top flight - but how did the summer transfer window pan out?

Who did Leeds United allow to depart after Crowe’s investment?

There were three departures confirmed within days of Crowe’s investment as recent addition Joshua Guilavogui, Sam Byram and Junior Firpo all left the club when their contracts came to an end. However, they were far from the only players to leave the club as Farke became somewhat ruthless as he prepared for life back in the top flight. Patrick Bamford’s time at Elland Road was effectively brought to an end when he joined Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan and that meant he would see out the final year of his Whites deal at Loftus Road.

Karl Darlow was also allowed to head out on loan in the final year of his deal as he made an immediate return to the Championship with Middlesbrough. Brenden Aaronson was sold to Bundesliga club Freiburg in a £13m deal and perhaps the biggest loss was Wilfried Gnonto as he returned to Italy to join AC Milan in a £26m deal after playing an influential role in promotion.

Jack Harrison finally joined Everton on a permanent basis after spending two seasons on loan at Goodison Park and Rasmus Kristensen made a £6m permanent switch to Eintracht Frankfurt. However, Sam Greenwood, Darko Gyabi and Sonny Perkins all returned to Elland Road after loan spells elsewhere and were immediately transfer listed.

Who did Leeds United sign after Crowe’s investment?

The first big deal completed in the aftermath of Crowe’s arrival came with a surprise move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as the Whites completed a £30m deal for the Republic of Ireland international and provided some intense competition for Illan Meslier. A new striker was found with a £16m agreement for Crystal Palace star Jean Philippe-Mateta and Gnonto’s replacement came a £14m deal that took Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi to Elland Road.

Brentford left-back Aaron Hickey was taken on a season-long loan with a possible permanent move to follow at the end of the season and there were three free transfers completed after a trio of players saw their contracts come to an end with their former clubs. Two came from Serie A after Farke found agreements with Inter Milan veteran Stefan de Vrij and AC Milan striker Luka Jovic. The final free transfer came from Germany as Hoffenheim defender Felix Passlack agreed a two-year deal at Elland Road.

And there we have it. Football Manager has spoken. Let’s be honest, this isn’t likely to happen any time soon. But to quote Gladiator, are you not entertained?