Clubs can change the named marquee player.
Ironically, it doesn’t even need to be the highest-paid player. For example, if Gale is on 200k, only 75k counts on the cap (thus giving an exemption of 125k). If Merrin is on 210k, 150k counts on the cap (thus giving an exemption of 60k). As such, Leeds are far better to name Gale as the marquee player as it allows them to spend more elsewhere.
It’s why they were so keen to get him.