Leeds United make staggering Junior Firpo contract decision
Leeds United have made the “staggering” decision to allow Junior Firpo’s contract to run into its final months, Jon Newsome has said.
Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds’ commentary (14 December, 12:11pm), Newsome was amazed they hadn’t tied Firpo down to a new contract with his current deal set to expire next summer.
Firpo is currently out injured until after the New Year, but if he agrees terms with a club outside England over an end-of-season move, the Dominican Republic international can sign a pre-contract in January.
Newsome said: “In all honesty, I’m absolutely amazed that the football club allow any players to get into the final year of their contract.
“Even if in the summer things change, the club get promotion to the Premier League, is he a Premier League footballer, is he one that you want to keep?
“If the club don’t get promotion, and financial restraints mean that he’s on too big a wage – at least you can offload him for money, so I find it absolutely staggering.”
Leeds United need to make Junior Firpo contract decision quickly
Contract negotiations dragging on over weeks and months are always an unwelcome distraction from on-field matters, and such a scenario involving Firpo would be no different at Elland Road.
While Daniel Farke’s main focus for his number three will be to make his way back to fitness as soon as possible, the 28-year-old’s contract will certainly be in the back of the German’s mind.
Max Wober stepped into the breach for Firpo against Derby County – the game in which he injured his hamstring – and Middlesbrough, with Sam Byram preferred at left-back against Preston on Saturday.
With Isaac Schmidt also featuring in recent matchday squads to get more minutes, Farke does have several options to fill the void left by Firpo during his time in the treatment room.
However, if one of the trio stakes their claim to be Farke’s first choice left-back long-term in the absence of Firpo, a decision over his long-term future could be made much easier for the Elland Road hierarchy.
In other Leeds news, Newsome slammed the performance of referee John Busby after a huge decision he made at Deepdale.
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