Incomings and departures will dominate the summer agenda for Leeds United but they have some contract decisions to make. The Whites would love to tie both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha down to new deals but their situations could remain unsolved for much of the next few months.
There are, however, more pressing contract issues with five players whose deals are due to expire in a year’s time. Those in charge at Elland Road will have to decide whether or not it is worth extending the respective contracts of those players as they will be aware that in January, they will be available to be approached by other clubs.
Here are the five players in question with assessments of whether they will be kept on.
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Luke Ayling
It feels like Luke Ayling and Leeds have come to a real crossroads. The 30-year-old will forever be considered a legend by supporters but questions are being asked more frequently over whether he is of the required quality to play at right-back every week for a Premier League club.
The pursuit of Rasmus Kristensen may spell bad news for Ayling as he may lose his starting position in the squad if the Denmark international is signed this summer. There is also the threat of Cody Drameh taking over the mantle on the right side of the defence after his mightily impressive loan at Cardiff in the second half of this season.
Between now and next season, it seems likely that Ayling will be offered a short-term deal but it wouldn’t be hugely surprising if he was allowed to leave for free next summer.
Adam Forshaw
Adam Forshaw was fully deserving of the new contract he was offered in January after a great return to fitness following such a long lay-off. Despite the deal being just an extra year, Leeds hold the option of triggering another year-long extension if they feel he warrants another 12 months at Elland Road.
That will largely depend on how much he plays next season and whether Jesse Marsch considers him a key member of the squad. Prior to his season-ending knee injury, the Whites boss was very complimentary of the midfielder so that extension will be something he looks to explore if Forshaw can stay fit for the vast majority of the next 12 months.
Sam Greenwood
Marsch also clearly feels Sam Greenwood has a future in West Yorkshire as he chose to include the 20-year-old in the starting XI for the final-day showdown. He repaid that faith from his manager by being arguably the best player on the pitch in the 2-1 win at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Whether Marsch sees him continuing to make his mark in the first team or not, it makes complete sense to extend Greenwood’s contract, even from a purely financial point of view. Unless he outlines a clear desire to leave the club at the conclusion of his contract, it is hard to imagine that Leeds will allow the young forward to leave for free.
Crysencio Summerville
Another youngster Leeds will be keen to keep hold of is Crysencio Summerville but his lack of senior game time might leave him looking for a move elsewhere. The Dutchman was the stand-out performer the U23s this season and, had it not been for Jack Harrison and Raphinha being the only two consistently fit players in the first team, he would have been handed more involvement.
There will be a real desire within the club to get Summerville tied down to a new deal but he might be keen to move, either on loan or permanently. The only way to limit that potential interest in leaving is by showing the 20-year-old that he is part of the first-team plans at Elland Road.
Leif Davis
It seems unlikely that the Whites have any plans for Leif Davis going forward. He was sent out on loan to Bournemouth this season and the inclusion of a future fee option in the deal highlights the desire to move him on.
Despite arriving at Leeds full of potential, the young left-back hasn’t quite been able to achieve what the club hoped he would and, should the right offer be forthcoming, he could even be moved on this summer. Another left-sided defender is likely to be on the wishlist at Elland Road which, if signed, would bring an end to Davis’ career at the club.
