Liam Cooper set for immediate Elland Road return after Leeds United exit, deal due within 2 days
Liam Cooper is in line to make an immediate return to Elland Road after leaving Leeds United, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Graham Smyth reported via the outlet’s website on 26 August that the former Whites captain is now close to signing for Hull City, with a deal potentially concluded in the next “couple of days”.
The 32-year-old had hoped to sign an extension to his expiring Leeds contract this summer but despite talks with the club an offer never came.
He came close to joining Blackburn Rovers he is now in line to sign for the Tigers, who are due to travel to Elland Road the day after the transfer window closes on 31 August in the Championship.
Hull City set to sign former Leeds United captain
Cooper had already reached the stage of being more beneficial in the dressing room than on the pitch for Daniel Farke last season and it appears the club were only willing to deal with new terms that reflected that this summer [TEAMtalk, 3 July].
As with Luke Ayling’s exit to Middlesbrough in January the emotion of the situation ultimately has to be set aside, although the manager will hope that others step into leadership roles in their absences.
The time is probably right for Cooper to move on this summer, despite Charlie Cresswell being sold, although it is a twist of fate that he looks set to return to Elland Road immediately as an opponent.
Pascal Struijk’s return from injury to wear the armband, and Joe Rodon’s permanent transfer back from Tottenham has locked up the starting centre-back positions.
As things stand Farke has an enviable set of options with Ethan Ampadu more than capable of stepping back from defence and Max Wober having returned from loan at Borussia Monchengladbach.
However, the Austrian’s situation could once again throw a spanner into the works as the Bundesliga club are working on bringing him back before the deadline [Marlon Irlbacher, 24 August], and amid doubts over his commitment to the Whites [Smyth, 8 August] he is said to want to go.
In other Leeds United news, a medical has been completed for the Whites to make another late signing before the window shuts.
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