Ezgjan Alioski may yet be a Leeds United player next season as Victor Orta admitted he still did not know what would happen with one month left on his contract.
The Macedonian’s deal has a little over four weeks to run at Elland Road with all signs suggesting he will join Gaetano Berardi and Pablo Hernandez in moving away.
Alioski has had a contract offer on the table from Orta for months, but as time has ticked on with no signature and the transfer speculation gathers pace, it’s felt like he would leave on a free.
There were no obvious signs of a farewell from Alioski at Elland Road on Sunday when the supporters returned, but there were some telling comments during that night’s end-of-season awards ceremony.
Stuart Dallas grouped Alioski in with Berardi and Hernandez when he listed the friends he would be losing over this summer
“This has been an incredible journey to share with people,” he said. “I spoke earlier about Bera and Pablo. Alioski, where is he? He’s not here (in the room).
“This for me it’s a special moment because these people have given so much to the club, we’ve achieved so much together and we’re losing them as teammates.
“For me, it’s sad because they’ve been such a big part of our group. It’s sad. I don’t know what to say. They’ve been great servants to the club.”
In addressing the awards ceremony from the main stage, director of football Orta reflected upon the journey he and Alioski had been on together since both arriving in 2017.
“Gjanni, we start together,” he said. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I remember with your [?] going in tears when you signed the contract.
“It’s four years together. A lot of things happened. Ups and downs. I am proud you were my first signing.
“Thank you for all of the effort you make in this club. I don’t know what’s going to happen and you always have my heart, always.”
Alioski has, predictably, been called into his national squad for Euro 2020. Their first match is against Austria on June 13 before ties against Ukraine and Netherlands before the month is out.
It remains to be seen when he makes an announcement on his future either with or without the Whites, but time is running out to say something before his Leeds contract expires.
