Leeds United make decision on Burnley ace Connor Roberts permanent transfer
Burnley have confirmed that Connor Roberts will return to Turf Moor when his Leeds United loan deal expires this summer.
The Whites signed the experienced full-back in January after losing Luke Ayling and Djed Spence during the mid-season transfer window.
But despite a relatively successful campaign the Wales international will not return to Elland Road next season permanently, after the Clarets confirmed he will return to them this summer.
Roberts is still expected to be in the squad for the Championship playoff final against Southampton at Wembley on Sunday 26 May (Joe Donnohue via X) but will then return to Vincent Kompany’s side after the summer break.
Leeds United not losing sleep over Connor Roberts exit
At the time that the deal got confirmed in January it was pretty obvious that Roberts was just seen as a short-term solution at Elland Road.
After losing two defenders in that position during the window Daniel Farke had a shortage of options in the position with Archie Gray being a natural midfielder, while Sam Byram was deployed on the left more often than not.
Roberts has come in and been able to help with the situation that Farke has had but he has had quite a few injury issues during his short time at the club, and hasn’t really ripped up any trees while on the pitch.
With the club hoping to be in the Premier League next season with a win at Wembley, and Burnley heading back to the Championship after their relegation it makes sense that he would stay with them.
Leeds will no doubt be back in the market to strengthen the full-back areas this summer, but they can do better than Roberts and his exit won’t be a big blow unless they don’t replace him.
In other Leeds news, Neil Warnock has predicted the playoff final clash v Southampton.
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