Luke Ayling says who he’s ‘close’ to signing for when Leeds United contract expires
Luke Ayling has revealed that he is “close” to making his loan spell at Middlesbrough permanent when his contract at Leeds United expires this summer.
Ayling moved to Middlesbrough on a temporary deal until the end of the season in January due to a lack of game-time at Leeds.
He has gone on to feature regularly for his new side and is now in talks over extending his stay at the club.
Speaking to BBC Radio Tees (4 May), he said: “I think things are close and I’m excited for what the future holds. I can’t say it’s done yet so [I] can’t say too much, but the last four months I’ve loved being part of it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Leeds United bid Luke Ayling a fond farewell
No Leeds fan can argue that Ayling has not served the club well since arriving from Bristol City in the summer of 2016.
The right-back has made 268 appearances across all competitions for the Whites and was a key component of the side that won promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.
However, Leeds appear to have finally outgrown their veteran full-back this season.
The Whites’ options on the right side of defence have been well-stocked this term, with teenage sensation Archie Gray being deployed as an inverted right-back, Connor Roberts arriving on loan from Burnley and Sam Byram rejoining the club. They would have even more depth if the versatile Jamie Shackleton had not struggled so much with injury.
After playing just 746 Championship minutes, it is understandable that Ayling, 32, would want to move on in search of regular game-time. And he has found it at Middlesbrough, playing 1,555 minutes in the league between his winter arrival and the end of the season [Transfermarkt].
Having settled into a new home, Ayling looks set to extend his stay on Teeside – and Leeds fans will surely wish him all the best.
In other Leeds United news, a teenage sensation looks set to snub Manchester United in order to move to Elland Road.
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