Patrick Bamford contract priority emerges for Leeds United at Elland Road
Extending Patrick Bamford’s contract at Elland Road is a “priority” for Leeds United after new developments this season, according to Ben Jacobs.
The journalist reported via Give Me Sport (6 September) that while a flurry of renewals shouldn’t be expected in the coming days and weeks, tying down the striker to a new deal remains a priority.
Daniel Farke’s side will have to take the former England international’s injury record into account given his fitness issues so far this season when deciding on whether or not to offer him a long-term deal.
The Whites have already moved quickly this season to hand Wilfried Gnonto a new contract, with the Italian international penning a deal which will see him remain at Elland Road until 2028 with no exit clauses included [Graham Smyth, 31 August].
Will Patrick Bamford exit Leeds United amid Elland Road transfer rumours?
The Leeds United support would likely be incredibly divided if the Whites do move quickly to tie down Bamford to a new contract, especially when he has yet to make a league start so far this season.
In the second half of last season, the forward showed that he is more than capable of having a major impact in the Championship as his goals often kept the Whites within touching distance of the automatic promotion places.
However, the former England international has shown that he cannot be relied upon to remain fit and available throughout an entire season and his form at the start of last term had some fans and pundits suggesting he should have been sold in January.
If a deal can be reached which sees Bamford pen a shorter-term deal on a lower salary, maybe then it would make sense for Leeds to prioritise the forward’s future in the coming weeks.
But at the moment, it feels as though this would be a situation worth resisting further down the line instead once it becomes clearer where the forward sits in Farke’s pecking order at this moment in time.
In other Leeds United news, a Joe Gelhardt update has emerged at Elland Road after the summer transfer window slammed shut
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