Liam Cooper transfer update emerges at Leeds United as Elland Road contract talks stall
Three Championship clubs are lining up to sign Liam Cooper following the expiration of his Leeds United contract, according to Graham Smyth.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist reported on Friday (5 July) that no progress has been made over extending the Scottish international’s stay at Elland Road this summer, despite talks being held.
While the 32-year-old would like to remain at Elland Road this summer, a departure is now a genuine possibility because other clubs are offering longer-term deals than the Whites have tabled.
Previous reports had suggested that Leeds were keen to tie their captain down to new terms having missed out on promotion [Leeds Live, 7 June], but a deal seems to becoming less and less likely.
Has Liam Cooper signed a new contract with Leeds United amid transfer interest?
Cooper may be a modern-day Leeds United legend, but that doesn’t mean that the Whites should be overly concerned about extending his stay at the club now that his contract has expired at Elland Road.
While he will have played a major role behind the scenes in last season’s promotion push, it is clear that he is towards the bottom of Daniel Farke’s pecking order on the field and that will only continue following Joe Rodon’s return.
Now that Pascal Struijk is back in action and with Ethan Ampadu taking over the armband for large portions of last year’s run-in, it may well be best for all parties if Cooper does sign a long-term deal elsewhere in the Championship.
That way, the 32-year-old will be able to get back to playing regular first-team football as he is not yet old enough to almost accept a non-playing role. He still has plenty to offer as a defender at this level, just not with Leeds.
His final game at Elland Road will have at least been a special one if this is the end of his time with the Whites as he got to say goodbye to the Leeds faithful with a brief cameo as Farke’s side booked their place in the playoff final.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have promoted one former player to a new role behind the scenes at Elland Road this summer
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