Leeds United have a host of decisions to make on contracts ahead of next summer.
Seven players have deals that are expiring at the end of the season, including three of their biggest leaders in the dressing room.
Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper are all out of contract in 2024 and it won’t be long until decisions have to be made, but the uncertainty of which division Leeds will be in makes it difficult.
With that said, though, according to TeamTalk, Daniel Farke would like to offer Ayling another one-year deal at Elland Road to extend his time at the club until 2024.
Ayling is now into his eight season at Leeds following his arrival from Bristol City, and has been an excellent servant to the club, with Garth Crooks describing him as ‘exceptional’ during the first season back in the Premier League.
Leeds would be making a mistake handing Ayling a deal
While there is no doubt Ayling remains a key figure in the dressing room, at the same time, his influence on the pitch has seriously declined in recent months.
Even with summer signing Djed Spence out injured, Ayling has been left out of three of the last four starting line-ups, indicating Farke is now looking to move away from him being a regular.
In the games he has started, Ayling has looked like Leeds‘ weak link, with a clear decline in his physical and technically ability, the latter of which was always his strong point.
Regardless of what division Leeds find themselves in next season, they simply have to start moving away from the likes of Ayling.
His contributions over the last few years to this club cannot be ignored, but it is time to put sentiment aside and turn over a new chapter.
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