Leeds United made the decision to release both Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles without the offer of a new contract earlier this week. The pair have been invited to return to Thorp Arch for pre-season training at the start of July should they be without a club, but hopes of being offered a new deal might just depend on whether they can do enough to impress the new head coach.
Who that man in charge will be is still unclear at present, but making that appointment is obviously at the top of Leeds’ list of priorities. High on the agenda is the recruitment of players and a new director of football, too, but they’ll also be aware of the contract situation unfolding at Elland Road.
As it stands Leeds have 10 players about to enter the final year of their deals at Elland Road. Some of those are expected to leave the club this summer as part of what could be a large exodus following the club’s relegation from the Premier League, but it seems the club will have some tough calls to make on others, with this summer potentially being their last chance to secure a fee.
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Here’s a look at those players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Robin Koch and Rodrigo are the two most likely on the list to leave, it seems. The international pair have already been linked with moves away this summer and their futures seem to lie away from West Yorkshire.
According to reports in Spain, Rodrigo is a target for Real Madrid and could be set to move for as little as €3.5m as per his relegation release clause. As Leeds Live reported on Tuesday Leeds would expect a fee for Koch to leave this summer, contrary to reports on the continent, and after what was ironically his best season individually at Elland Road, he can expect to move back up the ladder in the coming months.
It’s a big year for Luke Ayling, it seems. The 31-year-old right-back saw his contract extended by the Whites in February during a bright spell for him in the side, but he couldn’t carry that form to the end of the season.
He’s already declared his intention to stay and help Leeds out of the Championship mire, though, and his experience could be key for the Whites. It seems his future could depend on his performances.
The same can be said for skipper Liam Cooper, who was only fit enough to make 18 league appearances for the Whites this season, and Stuart Dallas. Dallas hasn’t featured since fracturing his femur against Manchester City back in April 2022 and he’ll be striving to return to full fitness over the next few months and get his career back on track. There’s a lot of uncertainty, but he’ll be determined to prove his worth once more.
Tyler Roberts has plenty to prove after being deemed surplus to requirements prior to his loan move to QPR last summer. It remains to be seen whether he has a future at Elland Road but he’ll be keen to catch the eye of the head coach during pre-season and potentially give the club some food for thought.
For Leeds, though, this summer might be their last chance to recoup any sort of fee by selling Roberts amid the possibility of releasing him for free next summer. Ian Poveda and Jamie Shackleton are in a similar boat after their season-long spells with Blackpool and Millwall respectively.
Neither had roles to play in the Premier League and while they’ll return to pre-season in determined frames of mind, the Whites will be mulling over whether they will have a role to play. Lewis Bate’s progress will be watched closely by Leeds as his contract with the club approaches its end date.
The midfielder showed promise while on loan at Oxford United and he will have high hopes of kicking on and breaking through into the Whites’ senior fold in what will be his third season at the club. If Bate isn’t likely to play a role next season, this summer will be the best time to sell.
Cody Drameh is the last player on the list and perhaps the one with the most for Leeds to consider, too. Having caught the eye on loan for the second season running, helping Luton Town to the Premier League, he has been linked away from Elland Road this summer.
However, it is understood that he would be willing to remain at Leeds if he were to be given assurances regarding game time. Leeds do have Ayling and Ramsus Kristensen as senior figures in the right-back role and the club must consider whether there will be a space for Drameh in the side.
If there isn’t, their best bet might be to let him leave while his value is up. His talent is clear to see and it would be a shame for Leeds to have to cut him loose, but unless a home for him can be found their hand might be forced.
