Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling to be offered Middlesbrough contract
Carlton Palmer has admitted he would surprised if Middlesbrough did not keep Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling at the Riverside Stadium next season.
The 32-year-old left Elland Road on loan during the January transfer window in search of more game time, becoming a regular under Michael Carrick at the Riverside Stadium.
While Sheffield United are said to be interested in the defender, according to The Sun [21 April], former Leeds midfielder Palmer thinks Boro could look to keep Ayling around as they aim for Premier League promotion.
Speaking to Football League World on Tuesday (23 April), Palmer said: “I’d be very surprised if Middlesbrough weren’t looking to offer Luke an extension of his contract for one more season given that they want to get promotion.
“But I think also Luke will have plenty of offers; he won’t be short.”
Luke Ayling set to end eight-year stay at Leeds United
The 32-year-old will go down in the Elland Road history books for many reasons, with his role in helping to lead the Whites back to the Premier League as one of them.
He is also very well known for the ‘Ayling flop’ and his Jimmy Bullard-esque celebration done after each of his 11 Leeds goals over his entire career in West Yorkshire.
Leeds were incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and loyal servant over the years, joining the likes of Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas as heroes at the club.
Of course, it will be a very sad day when Ayling officially announces that he is moving on, but it seems like a foregone conclusion this summer, especially given Archie Gray – more at home in midfield – has performed so admirably at right-back this season.
Whichever club do sign Ayling, whether that be Middlesbrough permanently, the Blades, who look set to be relegated from the Premier League or someone else, one manager will have a very dependable option in his arsenal.
In other Leeds United news, Goodman suggested it could be time for a youngster to be handed his full league debut against Boro.
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