Three permanent Leeds United players are set to leave for nothing as things stand
Leeds United have a huge six weeks ahead of them, after which they could be Premier League members. How many players remain members of the United squad itself come next season is questionable.
Ranks will undoubtedly need an overhaul and that could mean the exit of several stars to fund new arrivals. As things stand, though, five players are set to leave Elland Road for nothing. Two of them are loanees, Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell due to return to respective loan clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth this summer.
Three others are due to be out of contract come July. Junior Firpo is the most high-profile of these, amid links with a return to Spain and former club Real Betis.
However, his performances have left onlookers disappointed and sceptical about his future at Eland Road. He joined for free in October having been let go by Mainz upon the end of his contract. It’s feasible to see him landed in the same situation this summer.
Farke has outlined that it is difficult to plan ahead when it is unclear which division Leeds will be playing in next season. So vast is the difference in finances, this will decide how much financial scope United have to offer new deals.
And to that end, club insiders have told Leeds Live that there almost certainly will be no announcements of contract renewals until it is clear what division Leeds will play in next season. The board are planning for two end-of-season scenarios so will still be weighing up options in the meantime.
They know that the soon-to-be out-of-contract trio are currently permitted to speak with overseas clubs as per transfer rules, once a player enters the final six months of their deal. It would not be a surprise to learn that Leeds have started to chat to representatives about next steps, either.
But as for formal announcements, it is a case of supporters not getting hopes up regarding all three men. It could mean the summer will be even busier as a result.
