Leeds United are reportedly unlikely to offer midfielder Lew Bate a new deal with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season – and it is a decision that is in the best interest of the young “magician”.
Bate, 20, has been used just once this season – a late sub against Shrewsbury. It comes after impressing on loan at Oxford United last term, where he had a hand in five goals in 35 games from central midfield.
He returns to Leeds where he finds his contract due to expire at the end of the current season. But, we have signed three midfielders this summer – in the form of Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara.
If there was a brief glimmer of hope that Bate could break in at Elland Road in 2023-24, it is now wiped away by the additions in the market. Leeds Live claim it is unlikely that Bate is now offered a new deal.
But, while Bate may want to fight for his place and win a new contract at Leeds – it is best for Bate that he leaves Leeds. Making him available on a free for next summer, makes that transition much easier.
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Leeds unlikely to offer Lew Bate a new deal: The right decision
Bate is a top-class midfielder. There is a reason why Leeds spent £1.5m to bring him to the club, and there is a reason why Karl Robinson described him as a “magician”. He proved as much at Oxford.
But he is not going to get in at Leeds right now. Bate needs to go and shine elsewhere, at a lower club in the Championship. He is easily good enough for that level. So, it is the right decision – Bate needs to go.