Leeds have opened contract talks with Kemar Roofe and have made tying him down to Elland Road one of their top priorities this summer.
Roofe has 12 months left on the four-year deal he signed when he joined from Oxford United in 2016 and Leeds are keen to agree new terms with their top scorer from last season.
Roofe, 26, proved his value to Leeds by scoring 14 Championship goals and making two assists as they missed out on promotion in the play-offs, despite his campaign being blighted by injury.
He has blossomed under Marcelo Bielsa and the Leeds head coach believes he can improve further.
Fellow striker Patrick Bamford is understood to earn around three times as much as Roofe and Leeds will offer him a substantial pay rise in return for committing his future to Elland Road.
Roofe’s camp first asked Leeds to begin contract talks back in August and the club has taken months to come to the negotiating table.
Now Roofe and his team may leave Leeds waiting because there is no need to rush into making a decision over his future.
Roofe will be a free agent next summer if he runs down his contract, which could give him his choice of clubs and terms.
Leeds know Roofe is in a strong bargaining position, but still believe they can make him an attractive offer to remain at Elland Road.
Meanwhile Roofe’s former Oxford team-mate Callum O’Dowda will not be reunited with him at Elland Road this summer and Leeds have ruled out renewing their interest in the winger.
Leeds looked at O’Dowda in January during their search for a pacy wide player, but will not return for the Republic of Ireland international, even though top target Daniel James is joining Manchester United .
