Leeds United are facing some tough choices regarding player contracts as they navigate their current season in the Championship.
Following a busy round of exits in the summer market of 2023, which will see several departures from the club, there is now added pressure on Leeds to make up their minds about some key players looking forward to whose deals are due to expire.
In the year that will be pivotal for them as they try to get promoted and not make the same mistakes again, it is very important that they make the right decisions.
Here we take a closer look at some players in the final months of their deals and what that could mean for Leeds United.
Junior Firpo: A Decision to Be Made
Junior Firpo will be one of the key players with an expiring contract in 2025. The £13 million Barcelona recruit of 2021, has finally started to show his worth.
Struggled early on due to injuries in his Leeds career but has been ever-present this season and a key part of Daniel Farke’s setup.
Firpo registered 8 assists in Leeds promotion run-in and quickly provided the team with important service.
Leeds will now have to weigh up whether they should sell Firpo, who is earning his place in the team back or offer him a bumper contract.
Leeds must avoid letting go of Firpo because he has stock genuinely risen, and doing so may hinder their Premier League promotion hopes.
Sam Byram: A Risk Worth Taking?
Sam Byram returned to Leeds United on a free transfer from Norwich City last summer.
At Leeds, his hamstring plagued him again and it was no surprise he only signed a one-year deal.
Despite his injury history, Byram who has scored two goals and registered one assist in 34 appearances last season.
Byram was offered a one-year extension to keep him with Leeds until 2025. Now he needs to stay fit and keep delivering for United.
If he can, Leeds could ponder a further extension. However, if injuries continue to plague him, the club may have to look for other options.
Sonny Perkins: A Future Uncertain
Sonny Perkins is another player whose Leeds United future is uncertain.
Having hinted at a breakthrough by netting a last-minute goal in January 2023’s FA Cup clash against Cardiff City, Perkins looked set for stardom.
But he found it difficult to get chances under Daniel Farke and was subsequently loaned out to Oxford United.
Although Perkins was recalled from his loan spell, he wasn’t eligible to be sent out on loan again due to league rules.
Perkins looks unlikely to make it at Leeds, not having played as much football as fellow youngster Mateo Joseph.
But a decent display during his loan at Leyton Orient would alter the picture and force Leeds to ponder whether they should offer him an extension.
In the meantime, Leeds United have some key contract choices to make.
Whether that is cashing in on Junior Firpo, taking the gamble over Sam Byram’s fitness or what to do with Sonny Perkins, the choices made by the club could have a big impact on their future.
With promotion in their sights, Leeds need to make sure they get these decisions right to avoid repeating past mistakes and to build a squad capable of returning to the Premier League.
Fans will be watching closely to see how things unfold.
For more Leeds United news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates directly to your phone.
