Leeds United have announced that Josuha Guilavogui has left the club, while Sam Byram and Junior Firpo remain in contract talks with the club.
A number of Leeds players are out of contract but the full-back duo could still remain beyond the current Championship campaign and into the Premier League in 2025/26.
New contracts are required for Dan James and Ethan Ampadu among others but Byram also doesn’t want to leave Leeds and is now in talks to extend his Leeds United stay into a seventh season across two separate stints.
Byram is an unsung hero for Leeds in many ways and his Elland Road chapter could be set to continue, with Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell’s loans also ending alongside Guilavogui’s contract. But that decision could be perceived as a controversial one.
Leeds United supporters react to Sam Byram contract talks
Not only has his experience and know-how been potentially vital alongside that of the veteran Frenchman, but Byram also thinks Farke saved his career, which highlights the mutual respect they have between one another.
But is the decision to extend his terms, if a new contract and fresh terms can be agreed on, the right decision for Leeds? Many in the fanbase are scratching their heads and claiming it’s a “massive mistake.”
Another two responses read: “Why are we discussing with Byram 😭,” and also, “Byram, in the premier league?😭😅😅”
Further Leeds fan response read: “With all due respect Byram shouldn’t touch a Premier League pitch, club is being sentimental.”
An emphatic final response read: “Wouldn’t keep Byram, nowhere good enough for prem.”
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Sam Byram’s Leeds stats 2023/24 and 2024/25
Leeds have quality full-backs but need to be selective about who they retain and who they upgrade upon. However, there could be a place for Byram in a squad role next year.
| Season | Appearances | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow cards |
| 2023/24 | 37 | 27 | 2251 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2024/25 | 39 | 19 | 1617 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
His experience, his ability to set standards in training, and his knowledge and understanding of the club are all valuable aspects. They help while he also appears to be a player who gets on with most members of the squad.
The 31-year-old may want to be more than that with Leeds or another club in the twilight years of his career, though. That is why it’s not a guarantee unless he’s happy to stick around and play even less frequently than he did this season.
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