Another key Leeds United exit now on cards amid new ‘Lucrative’ Liam Cooper transfer development
Leeds United could well be set to lose another crucial player in Liam Cooper with the veteran reportedly receiving a “Lucrative” offer from Saudi Arabia.
According to talkSPORT (2 August), Cooper’s commitment to Daniel Farke’s new revolution at Elland Road is currently being tested by an offer from Robbie Fowler’s new side Al Qadsiah.
The report writes it is unclear whether the Elland Road favourite is open to the move or how much Leeds United would receive if a move were to happen this summer, but the offer is on the table for the Scotland international.
The club captain was one of the first players to take to social media to apologise to fans after the Whites were relegated from the Premier League and vowed that he would ‘never turn my back on the club’, however, that statement is now being put to the test following the latest development regarding his Elland Road future.
With the Whites set to kick off their Championship campaign against Cardiff City on Sunday 6 August, Cooper could yet ditch the club in favour of a Saudi move [talkSPORT, 3 August].
Farke and his men have already lost some crucial members of his first team stars, who could have certainly aided their quest of an immediate Premier League return next season, with Max Wober taking an incredible U-turn last week, completing a move to Borussia Monchengladbach after he stated his commitment to the club for the new season.
The Austrian defender became the ninth key departure at Elland Road, following the loan exits of Rasmus Kristensen, Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch and Marc Roca.
Should Cooper follow his defensive counterparts out the Elland Road, it could yet prove to be the biggest of the lot, but more crucially, could leave Farke desperately short of options at centre-back, following Koch, Wober and Kristensen’s exits.
Cooper is easily the most crucial and critical player and as captain of the club, he has taken that responsibility on his shoulders and stood up to be counted in these hard times.
Such mental toughness, leadership and experience are desperately needed and required from even the best sides on the Championship stage and how the club will fare without him, the club board wouldn’t want to imagine right now.
We have already seen this summer how the new Saudi money can persuade players to up and leave their comfortable positions at their former clubs with the likes of Karim Benzema, Ngolo Kante, Ruben Neves and even Jordan Henderson moving to the Middle East. While former Elland Road striker Rodrigo up and left to go Qatar.
Cooper certainly isn’t immune from that financial persuasion, and given his twilight years, he may certainly feel that this next venture could be a serious opportunity for him and his family.
But, losing Cooper could be yet another telling and pivotal derailment in Farke’s plans. Who would want to be the German coach right now with his squad suffering from a drop in quality, with the Championship campaign just days away?
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