Former Leeds United frontman Noel Whelan has urged Leeds United to do everything in their power to keep hold of top-scorer Kemar Roofe this summer.
The 26-year-old enjoyed his best season since joining the Whites, banging 15 Championship goals in a campaign that was blighted with injuries.
Without the constant trip to the treatment room, the 26-year-old might have hit over 20+ goals for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
His impressive performances have seen him linked with a number of Premier League, with Aston Villa the latest to hold a reported interest.
The major concern for Leeds in their battle to hold on to Roofe is the striker has just one year left on his deal and is yet to agree an extension.
Whilst most of the summer chat has been about potential additions, tying down one of their prized assets could be the most important business for the club this summer, according to Whelan.
Speaking to Football Insider , who last week claimed Roofe was seeking a new £30,000-a-week-deal, Whelan said: “Your top striker is worth his weight in gold.”
“If you want to keep him, you have to make him an attractive offer. He has come to his last year so he is in a strong position and can sign for an overseas club for nothing next January.
“You have to give him something to tease him with. We are talking about a £10million player. When you get into the last two years of a key player’s contract, you should be protecting your asset by adding another two years on.
“Considering we have no money to spend, are we going to throw £10million away by losing Kemar Roofe?”
With top-flight clubs circling, Whelan added that he no doubt Roofe could make himself an asset to a host of Premier League outfits.
“He could do it in the Premier League,” he added.
“There is always a club in the Premier League who could take a chance on him, although it might take him a bit of time to adjust.”
Roofe has made phenomenal strides under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa , developing from a misfiring winger to a clinical marksman in the space of 12 months.
