Liam Cooper could make Leeds United return in wake of Hull City collapse after contract talks
Liam Cooper is still available to sign for any club after his move to Hull City fell through, increasing the chances of a possible return to Leeds United.
The former Whites captain has now seen deals to join the Tigers [Yorkshire Evening Post, 26 August] and Blackburn Rovers [Lancashire Telegraph, 12 July] collapse since his Elland Road contract expired, with links since materialising with Derby County [Darren Witcoop, 29 August].
The Scotland international has missed out on selection for the national team as he continues to search for a new deal [Scottish FA, 27 August], having made it into Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 group despite featuring infrequently under Daniel Farke last term.
Talks were held with Cooper over a Whites extension this summer but no deal was reached as the two sides had different priorities for personal terms [TEAMtalk, 3 July].
Blackburn and Derby also linked to former Leeds United captain
But with the longer his struggle to find a new home goes on the higher the chances that a deal to bring him back to the club grow.
Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are undisputed starters for Farke as things stand, while Ethan Ampadu dropped into the back line last year amid injury to the latter.
Max Wober remained at the club past the transfer deadline despite doubts being raised of his commitment to the cause by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth on 8 August, and an attempt from Borussia Monchengladbach to secure him on loan again [Marlon Irlbacher, 24 August].
But Cooper was “highly-respected” in the dressing room [TEAMtalk, 3 July] and Leeds United are more than familiar with the arrival of a full-scale injury crisis, while Wober’s status is potentially uncertain longer-term.
So if links to Derby don’t turn into a deal it would be no shock for the 32-year-old to lower his expectations and take the sort of deal that was going to be on offer at Elland Road, reflecting his current status as a reserve option [Yorkshire Evening Post, 2 September].
The club is still yet to officially acknowledge Cooper’s apparent exit from the club which is odd for such a significant player, so may have an eye on a return.
In other Leeds United news, a multimillion ace has been left frustrated after his Whites move was blocked during the transfer window, with an exit now eyed for January.
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