Luke Ayling has become the latest Leeds United player to see his contract extended by the club. The right-back’s deal was due to expire at the end of the current Premier League season, but the Whites have triggered a clause that ties him down until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
It’s a move that makes sense given Ayling’s importance to the side and his recent form, particularly over the last couple games and he’ll be looking to make a big impact over the remainder of the season as Leeds battle against the drop. As such, just three United players hold Elland Road contracts that are due to expire at the end of the current season.
Adam Forshaw is perhaps the most high profile name the club must make a decision on before the summer and he is joined on that list by Joel Robles and Mateusz Bogusz. Despite the announcement of Ayling’s extension, the Whites’ hierarchy have more pressing things on their agenda at present, namely finding a new full-time head coach to take the reins.
However, the futures of the above trio will be assessed at some point over the coming months and a final decision will intrigue. Regarding Forshaw, who has been with Leeds since 2018, the decision looks a tough one.
The midfielder has regularly caught the eye when he’s been on the field for the Whites and he recently performed well against Manchester City just after the World Cup break. However, since joining the club his time on the pitch for Leeds has been severely impacted by injuries and this season has been no different.
That injury record, which has seen him restricted to just six appearances in all competitions this time around, will be taken into account by the club’s decision makers as they mull over a final call. His ability and leadership will be, too, though, with the 31-year-old still having plenty to offer at Elland Road.
Forshaw is down the pecking order and the January addition of Weston McKennie hasn’t helped his standing within the squad, but his presence provides Leeds with depth and experience in a key area of the field. Experience is exactly what Joel Robles brings, too, as he approaches his 33rd birthday.
Robles was brought into the club last summer to push and provide competition for Illan Meslier and Kristoffer Klaesson and he has done exactly that. The former Everton and Atletico Madrid man has made just two appearances for the Whites, both coming in cup competitions, but he has established himself as the club’s second choice keeper and Meslier will have taken plenty from his presence.
Mateusz Bogusz’s case is a little different, with the Poland youth international some way off competing for a starting spot in the Whites’ first-team. The midfielder has spent the last two seasons on loan with UD Ibiza, who are currently propping up the Spanish second division.
There have been reports of interest from MLS outfit Los Angeles FC over the last few weeks and Leeds must decide if he has a future at Elland Road or whether it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere.
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