Liam Cooper wants Leeds United future sorted amid Stoke City interest
Liam Cooper wants to resolve the situation surrounding his long-term future at Leeds United, with Stoke City interested in signing the defender, according to Ross Heppenstall.
The newspaper journalist reported on 31 December that with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Cooper is keen on having his future at the club sorted now.
It has been reported that Daniel Farke will make the final decision over contract extensions [The Athletic, 16 October], but with Stoke now interested, a decision will have to be made sooner rather than later.
Farke will have to make the call
It will now be up to the boss to make an immediate decision on whether he sees Cooper as part of the long-term future of the club. With a rival Championship club monitoring his situation, the defender could opt to jump before he is pushed with a move away.
Leeds’ club captain has made just 11 Championship appearances so far this season, playing second-fiddle to the partnership of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, and the offer of additional playing time could tempt him away from Elland Road in January.
Farke has spoken about Cooper’s influence in the dressing room and how important he is to the club, but the lack of a contract offer at this late stage may suggest that his long-term future does not remain in Yorkshire.
The interest in his signature will surely speed up the decision-making process, and if Cooper doesn’t feel he has been assured of his future at Elland Road, the chance to join Stoke may be one he opts to take in January.
In other Leeds United news, contact has been made to sign a new £5.2million player.