Leeds United is attempting to return to the Premier League immediately through promotion; however, seven players, including Liam Cooper, have summer contracts expiring.
No matter what tier they play in, Leeds United is firing up to make an immediate return to the Premier League this season. But, the Whites still have some big decisions to make off the field before the market reopens. Liam Cooper, the captain of the team, is among the seven players whose contracts expire this summer.
It goes without saying that Daniel Farke and his Elland Road recruitment team have a lot on their plates, with automatic promotion or, at the absolute least, a chance at the play-offs. It implies that a number of possible outcomes could occur between now and the upcoming season.
With long-serving hero Stuart Dallas revealing his retirement owing to injury issues, the team has already received one call. The 33-year-old left the Whites after nearly ten years of service. The seven Leeds players that will be available as free agents have been examined by us:
Luke Ayling: A loyal servant and Premier League regular, right-back Ayling watched on from the stands when his parent club defeated loan side Middlesbrough in a seven-goal thriller on Monday night. However, the next time he catches up with the Leeds players it could be to say a fond farewell after eight years at Elland Road. An overall tally of 268 games, 11 goals and 21 assists in the famous white shirt – with one promotion – makes for happy reading.
Lewis Bate: The deep-lying playmaker has earned rave reviews for his performances on loan at League Two outfit MK Dons – making 19 appearances in their ongoing play-off charge – but at 21 might be heading for a cross-roads in his young career. Bate initially made his name in the Chelsea academy before joining Leeds in 2021.
Sam Byram: He went full circle last summer when returning to West Yorkshire, on a free transfer, after spells with West Ham, Nottingham Forest (loan) and Norwich City. Byram, 30, has been a regular this season, playing 31 games in the Championship alone. Whether that proves sufficient enough for Farke to give him an extension remains to be seen but, with so much experience seemingly heading out the door, Byram could ease that turnover.
Liam Cooper: It already feels like the end of an era for Leeds with Dallas retiring and Ayling potentially on his way. Cooper, now 32, needs no introduction for his commitment to the cause at Elland Road and he too could be saying goodbye after his decade-long spell, unless extended terms are agreed. The centre-back has made 15 appearances in the Championship this season. Finding himself on the substitutes bench in recent months, his experience remains vitally important to the squad, even if his game-time has been reduced.
Cody Drameh: The 22-year-old is currently on loan with Championship strugglers Birmingham City and him signing another contract with Leeds appears to be highly unlikely. Drameh, who is a right-back by trade, has totted-up only 10 games for the Whites since pitching up in west Yorkshire from Fulham in 2021.
Ian Poveda: With clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Catalan giants Barcelona and Manchester City on his CV from his academy days, Poveda arrived at Elland Road in 2020 with high expectations. However, with a few weeks to run on his contract, there have been just 30 senior games for him in Leeds colours. The fleet-footed Columbian has been a bit-part player since a loan move to Sheffield Wednesday in January, too, so a new challenge seems to be the most likely scenario for him.
Jamie Shackleton: Perhaps the best-placed man to earn himself a new contract. The versatile 24-year-old can be deployed at right-back, left-back, central midfield and on the right-hand side. Farke has used that to his advantage this season with Shackleton making 14 appearances in all competitions. However, the hometown star extending his stay is by no means a certainty.
