Although Leeds United will be focused primarily on new signings now, they are also in need of taking care of the current playing squad.
Karl Darlow, Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, and Alex Cairns are four of the Leeds United squad with contracts running until 2026, thus entering the final 12 months of their deals at Elland Road this month.
The other is Dan James, Leeds’ Player of the Season. James is among those in desperate need of a new Leeds contract sooner rather than later, with the 27-year-old penning a five-year deal after signing from Man United back in 2021.
His performances have been such that Simon Grayson compared James to Lionel Messi at one stage last season, with the Welshman enjoying the best individual season of his career so far.
Dan James is in contract extension talks with Leeds United
Ao Tanaka and James led the way for the Player of the Season award, with both Tanaka and Dan James included in David Prutton’s Team of the Season.
But his future is somewhat unclear currently, with many perhaps expecting him to be rewarded with fresh terms. Graham Smyth revealed Junior Firpo has been offered reduced terms at Leeds and that is an approach the club is looking to take.
Leeds United News sources close to Dan James have informed us that he is in contract talks with the club, but like Firpo, for a wage which is substantially less than the contract he first signed upon his arrival in 2021.
It appears as though this stance on pay cuts is a club-wide one, and not just for Firpo and James. Leeds have offered to extend his contract beyond 2026 but for a wage more reflective of the club’s current Premier League standing.
Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta handed out some lucrative extensions in Leeds’ previous Premier League stint, which the 49ers are keen to avoid unless absolutely necessary.
In that regime, James was shipped out on loan to Fulham. However, he has since returned and been a mainstay for Daniel Farke and the 49ers’ new-look Leeds team in the Championship.
Micah Richards thinks James is outstanding, but it remains to be seen how he adapts back to Premier League football.
Dan James’ Leeds contribution deserves a new contract
Understandably, Leeds are looking to reset the wage structure somewhat. In the process, it could also free up room on the wage bill for other additions to come in.
That said, many will feel as though James’ recent contributions to the team are deserving of a pay increase. Without knowing the exact figures, that may be difficult for the Whites to offer.
| Season | League | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2021/22 | Premier League | 35 | 4 | 4 |
| 2022/23 | Premier League | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023/24 | Championship | 46 | 13 | 8 |
| 2024/25 | Championship | 37 | 12 | 9 |
James has played over 50 games more for Leeds now than anyone else, and he has hit a level where he is playing the best football of his career so far. He will hope to continue that in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is settled in West Yorkshire and has a young family, which may be one of the determining factors in extending his current stay with Leeds beyond next summer.
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