Graham Smyth shares Liam Cooper Leeds United exit verdict as transfer abroad mooted
Graham Smyth believes an Elland Road exit makes the most sense for Liam Cooper, suggesting a move abroad for the Leeds United stalwart could happen.
According to Leeds Live [7 June], the Whites are keen for the 32-year-old to extend his stay at Elland Road, hoping the centre-back will put pen to paper on a new deal before his contract expires at the end of June.
Cooper has made 284 appearances for Leeds since signing from Chesterfield in 2014, though played a back-up role in Daniel Farke’s team throughout the 2023/24 campaign.
Speaking via the Inside Elland Road podcast on Thursday (13 June), Smyth said: “That one doesn’t make as much sense to me for either party, mostly for Cooper. Last season, he was essentially in a non-playing role. I think he had 14 appearances that were substantial enough to get a match rating.
“The second half of the season, that nearly dried up entirely. He’s too young to accept that his playing days are over and he’s now in some quasi-coaching role. I think he needs to go somewhere else for a couple of years.
“I don’t know if he’s minded to go abroad. There was Saudi interest this time last year but he opted to stay at Leeds. I know that there’s a sentimentality factor because if he stays a bit longer then he’ll get a testimonial. But he’s a footballer, not a bit-part player.
“We don’t know how much he’ll play at the Euros, but unless he accepts that this is his last hoorah at international level, does Leeds make sense for him?”
Could Liam Cooper depart Leeds United this summer?
While the club may be keen to keep Cooper at Elland Road ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, the player must assess all his options before putting pen to paper on a new deal.
He made just eight Championship starts this season, mainly serving as deputy to Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon, even despite Pascal Struijk’s frustrating injury woes.
The Scot has still managed to earn a call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany this summer, so it could be a while until the club learns of his final decision.
Despite being a player at the back of Farke’s mind this season, the current situation at Elland Road could see the veteran handed a more important role in the next campaign.
While Ampadu is still set to be at the club, Rodon’s future is currently up in the air after Tottenham triggered a one-year extension in his current contract, and Struijk is the only other real option in central defence.
Farke could turn his attention to 21-year-old Charlie Cresswell, though it would be a surprise if he were still to be on the books next term.
Cooper’s experience and wisdom would be an incredibly beneficial aspect for the squad next season as Leeds attempt to secure promotion to the Premier League, but he could be on his way out of Elland Road soon.
In other Leeds news, the club have been credited with interest in a Tottenham midfielder.
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