Future of eight Leeds United players hang in balance as January exits cannot be ruled out
The future of Leeds United players hangs in the balance with eight senior players’ contracts set to expire at the end of this season.
According to Transfermarkt, nearly an entire starting 11’s worth of first-team players could depart Elland Road as free agents next summer, with Helder Costa, Liam Cooper, Jamie Shackleton, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Lewis Bate, Sam Byram and Ian Poveda all potentially facing their final months as Leeds United players.
With many of these players still functioning as regular starters for Daniel Farke in the Championship, Leeds have a lot of work to do if they want to retain a core part of the squad.
However, after a busy summer transfer window and relatively limited funds from Championship football, January exits look more and more likely.
Many factors will impact which of these players will depart the club.
If Leeds can get a decent fee for some of these players in January, then the hierarchy may consider sales. The likes of Helder Costa could fetch a decent fee considering his experience and international status.
A move from the Middle East could be possible following his loan last season to Saudi side Al-Ittihad. Phil Hay claimed on The Square Ball Podcast during the transfer window (18 August) that “nobody is bothered” about Costa at Leeds so a sale for him seems a good option, if possible.
Ian Poveda could be a likely January exit. He has struggled in a Leeds United shirt but a decent Blackpool loan spell could have boosted his reputation enough for a lower Championship side to snap him up for an appropriate fee.
However, Leeds will be keen to retain some of these players. Liam Cooper has been injured and has made just one appearance for the Whites this season, but despite his patchy injury record, they will be reluctant to let go of their captain.
Jamie Shackleton too has been an ever-present for Farke this season and is clearly valued by his manager. As quoted by LeedsLive (31 August), Farke loves the 23-year-old noting that he “is always reliable, always solid, always a good team-mate” and “gives us everything.” The academy graduate will be key in any promotion bid.
Leeds’ promotion expectations will also play a significant factor in the future of these players. If confidence in a return to the Premier League is brimming, then seeking sales for Costa and Poveda may not be essential considering the minimal fees they’d receive compared to the riches of promotion.
Furthermore, they would be in a much stronger position to renew contracts if they see the cash injection that comes with promotion on the horizon. That being said, if the hierarchy seeks a total squad rebuild following promotion, then perhaps getting some of the ageing players, like Ayling and Dallas, would help free up some space on the wage bill for upgrades.
There are plenty of factors at play, and after a tough but productive summer window and a decent start to life back in the Championship, the 49ers Enterprises’ work is far from over.
In other Leeds United news, Ethan Ampadu has sent a “knuckle down” message to a fellow Elland Road teammate.