Leeds United tell Liam Cooper he can’t leave Elland Road this month amid Blackburn Rovers transfer interest – Phil Hay
Leeds United have told Liam Cooper he won’t be allowed to leave Elland Road this month despite interest from Blackburn Rovers, according to Phil Hay.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (30 January), The Athletic journalist reports that the Championship club showed interest in the central defender earlier in the window.
But despite the captain’s contract at Elland Road expiring in the summer, Leeds told the player last week that a move would not be sanctioned this month and he will stay at the club for the rest of the season.
“Liam Cooper, meanwhile, has been told he will not be leaving Leeds this transfer window,” he wrote on the news outlet’s website.
“There was interest in the centre-back earlier this month, including from Blackburn Rovers, but Leeds told him last week that he will be staying.”
Sensible
Regardless of what you think about Liam Cooper’s ability and his role in the squad, it’s undeniable that as the captain he is an important figure and Daniel Farke has relied on him this season.
Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon are definitely the first-choice centre-back options but Cooper has been the man called into the picture whenever one of those players has been unavailable.
Having already lost Luke Ayling during this window, and with Stuart Dallas still yet to return from his serious leg injury, the club is very youthful already and lacks that experience and know-how that Cooper can offer.
He’s also been playing relatively well for the most part, and with very little time remaining in the transfer window replacing him would just be an added issue to deal with at this point.
It makes sense to keep him around and it allows the club to make a decision on whether to keep him beyond this season or not, rather than making a snap decision now.
In other Leeds news, ‘Unplayable’ forward open to exit amid Whites interest before Feb 1st deadline.
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