Leeds United stance on Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton emerges as retained list published
Leeds United want to retain both Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton beyond the end of their current contracts, according to Leeds Live.
The outlet reported on its website on Friday (7 June) that Daniel Farke’s side want to keep both players at Elland Road this summer, but it will be down to them whether they pen new terms to extend their stay beyond the expiry of their contracts in 23 days.
Both players will have to decide whether they want to play a greater role in the first team after a stop-start season in the Championship which saw the pair struggle for a regular place in Farke’s starting XI.
This update comes after Leeds published their retained list, confirming the departure of a number of players whilst Sam Byram extended his stay at Thorp Arch by a further year.
Has Liam Cooper signed a new contract at Leeds United and Elland Road?
For so long it appeared as though Cooper was set to depart Leeds United this summer, with the Whites’ playoff semifinal win over Norwich City at Elland Road feeling like a genuine goodbye for the Scottish international.
But now, there is seemingly every chance the 32-year-old could still be Leeds player when next season rolls around. The club want him to stay, ultimately, it is now up to him to decide what he values the most in his career.
There still won’t be a guarantee of regular first-team football under Farke next term, especially with Pascal Struijk expected to return to full fitness, but Cooper may well decide that he is happy to spend another season on the bench.
For Shackleton, the decision could be a bit harder. At his age, he really should be playing regular football and that doesn’t seem likely at Leeds. Maybe a move this summer could be the best thing for his career in the long run.
Hopefully, both players will make their decisions clear sooner rather than later so plans can be put in place ahead of next term.
In other Leeds United news, the president of Real Betis has shared a brand new transfer update surrounding Marc Roca