Leeds United: De Bock likely to have next club lined up as he heads to exit – Sky pundit
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Laurens De Bock is likely to leave Leeds United in the summer and may even already know his next club, according to Paul Robinson.
De Bock, 29, has been on loan at Zulte Wagerem in Belgium this season having failed to have made an appearance for the Whites since 2018.
The Belgian left-back has been loaned out to four different clubs after he was signed by Victor Orta and Thomas Christiansen and failed to show Marcelo Bielsa he’s worthy of a spot in the side at Elland Road.
De Bock’s contract finally expires this summer, meaning that he’s free to leave Leeds and join any club on a free transfer.
He’s captained Zulte Wagerem this season and done fairly well in Belgium.
And while Robinson feels the left-back area at Leeds needs to be addressed in the summer, he expects that De Bock already has plans to leave Elland Road and might have his next move lined up already.
“That’s a decision for the new manager to make,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News when asked if De Bock will be released.
“He’ll obviously be well-informed about the player and know exactly where he is, how many games he’s played and what level he’s at.
“It’s a decision for Jesse Marsch to look at and decide what he wants going forward.
“If they saw it fit to loan him out this season, with his contract ending, it was the last chance for him to either be put in the shop window to look for other employment or sign a new contract at Leeds.
“But if they see it fit to let De Bock go and let Junior Firpo stay, it’s an area they’re going to have to look at in the summer.
“It all depends on what the new manager wants and how much he’s seen of him.
“You may see him given a short-term contract where he starts the season at the club or I’d be very surprised if he hasn’t made arrangements for next season.
“When it’s near the end of the season, players generally know where they’re going to go so it’s probably a hypothetical conversation so unless he’s already had a conversation with Marsch, I suspect he’ll be moving on.”
In other Leeds United news, the Whites can finally get rid of this “stinking” 29-year-old with a free transfer likely in the summer.