Leeds United may now make Liam Cooper contract call after new international development
Leeds United could be set to face a summer of change at Elland Road following their defeat to Southampton in the playoff final.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray are already being linked with a move away ahead of the summer transfer window, but one first-team exit may be more imminent following a new development.
Leeds haven’t yet come to a decision over Liam Cooper’s future and while the Scottish international is understood to be keen to pen a new deal, reports suggest he is more likely to end his spell in Yorkshire [Leeds Live, 30 May].
That decision may have now been made for the Whites, however, after the 32-year-old picked up a new injury during Scotland’s international friendly showdown with Gibraltar on Monday 3 June.
Will Liam Cooper leave Leeds United in the summer transfer window?
Cooper was introduced just two minutes into the second half of Steve Clarke’s side’s 2-0 win but was withdrawn 35 minutes later having suffered a big blow to his knee midway through the second period.
Although the severity of the knock hasn’t yet been confirmed, the Yorkshire Evening Post (3 June) described it as a “major injury blow” and it could even put the Leeds United skipper’s attendance at Euro 2024 in doubt.
If Cooper is set to be sidelined for an extended period, Daniel Farke’s side simply won’t be able to offer him a contract extension at Elland Road, especially as they look to cut costs following the playoff final defeat.
There is every chance the Whites would stand by the Scotsman if he needed somewhere to complete his recovery, as was the case with Stuart Dallas, but it now feels more likely than not that he will have played his final game for the club.
Hopefully, the Leeds skipper will make a quick return to action as no supporter would ever want to see him miss out on a major tournament. After a tough end to the Championship campaign, he deserves this opportunity this summer.
In other Leeds United news, Paraag Marathe has been handed a vote of confidence by Red Bull following a new update at Elland Road
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.