Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Wed 22 April 2026 18:10, UK

Leeds United will have a tough decision to make over Ilia Gruev in the upcoming transfer window.

The Bulgaria international isn’t thinking about leaving the Whites in the summer, but the decision may be out of his hands.

Daniel Farke has made it clear with his team selection this season that the midfielder isn’t the first name on the teamsheet at the West Yorkshire outfit.

Gruev had a purple patch at Elland Road in February as the Peacocks beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at home, but he’s been inconsistent for most of the season.

Farke has relied on Anton Stach since his arrival last summer, leading to a change in the midfield pecking order in LS11, which hasn’t favoured the Bulgarian ace.

Ilia Gruev future bleak at Leeds United

Gruev has shared Leeds’ long-term plan to compete for a place in the top half of the Premier League table, indicating his intention to stay at the club for the foreseeable future.

While the 25-year-old seems comfortable with his situation at Elland Road for now, it remains to be seen how long that lasts.

The Bulgaria international has started in 15 of his 23 league appearances in the current campaign, scoring no goals, providing three assists and creating two big chances, as per Sofascore.

Compared to Stach creating nine big chances in the Premier League this season, Gruev’s numbers are tame, with Ethan Ampadu on the other end recording better defensive statistics, with 1.4 interceptions, 2.4 tackles, 2.3 clearances and recovering the ball 5.2 times per game.

Speaking to Transfermarkt on 20 April, the former Werder Bremen star said, “I feel very comfortable here and I see how the club is developing. The long-term plan is to become a top-10 Premier League team. If you can be part of that journey as a player and compete with the elite every week, that’s an absolute success.”

Daniel Farke will be forced into Ilia Gruev sale

There has been uncertainty around Ao Tanaka’s future at Leeds due to his diminishing influence under Farke.

The Japan international has been influential for the Whites since signing for them in the summer of 2024 and it would make sense for them to keep him.

With Sean Longstaff, another player looking for more opportunities at Elland Road, the German manager may have to make the tough decision to sell one of his midfielders, potentially Gruev, for whom the writing may be on the wall.

The Bulgarian ace will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season and it would certainly be the perfect time to cash in on him.