Leeds United to ponder Patrick Bamford sale to trim Elland Road wage bill
Patrick Bamford could be the next long-serving Leeds United player the club look to offload, according to David Norris.
This is due to the one-time England striker falling further down the pecking order amid an inability to stay consistently fit, with a succession of forward players now ahead of him.
Having joined the club from Middlesbrough in 2018, Bamford has two years remaining on a contract which sees him remain one of the highest earners at Elland Road [Leeds All Over, 9 June], despite a huge slash in pay following relegation in 2023.
Norris, speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, said: “Joel Piroe isn’t getting a lot of game time in his preferred position, and Bamford has fallen further down.
“They might look to shift him and get him off the wage bill – whether the club do that or would rather keep him as a bit-part player, I’m not sure.”
Leeds United must decide on Patrick Bamford
Leeds United, for the small size of the squad they have for the Championship this year, actually do have a relatively large selection pool of attackers for the system they play.
Daniel Farke’s preference for a lone central striker means Bamford is struggling for game time when fit and £12million signing Piroe is often shunted out wide or in as a number 10, while Mateo Joseph’s perch means Joe Gelhardt barely gets a look-in.
Bamford has just turned 31 and with under two years left on a deal signed while in top form in 2021, Leeds know his stock is depreciating – especially when he sustains regular injury issues.
The experienced striker appears settled at Elland Road and has a relationship with much of the fanbase akin to siblings – he is deep down largely respected while having had the Whites faithful seething at times.
It will be interesting to see how Leeds value Bamford as an asset moving into January and perhaps the summer, as it now looks unlikely the frontman will receive another offer from the club on anywhere near the terms he agreed three years ago.
In other Leeds news, Jamie O’Hara delivers a verdict on the signing of Manor Solomon.
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