Liam Cooper is one of seven Leeds United players out of contract at the end of the season and it is unclear whether he will be offered a new deal – but now, a move to Stoke City could materialise.
Cooper, 32, has been a leader for us over the last decade. Joining the club under Massimo Cellino back in 2014, Cooper has clocked up a huge 277 games for the Whites. He’s started the last two matches.
Not first choice any more, but Cooper remains a key part of this Leeds side. Indeed, he sits behind Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk – but the latter is currently injured. The January window is now upon Leeds.
A left-back is expected to be targeted, and maybe a no.10. Of course, any replacements if players do go. Cooper could be one of those. A player that rejected a rich move to Saudi Arabia back in the summer.
Phil Hay recently said that he would be surprised if Cooper, Luke Ayling or Stuart Dallas – all of whom are long-serving at Leeds, but out of contract in June – will get new deals. Now, Cooper has interest.
Liam Cooper wants Leeds future sorted with Stoke City an option
Indeed, freelance journalist Ross Heppenstall has claimed on Twitter that Championship side Stoke are an option for Cooper. He also reports that Cooper wants his future sorted, with his deal ending in June.
Certainly, Cooper will go with any blessing and given his allegiance to Leeds over the last 10 years, he will be allowed to go when he picks the right moment. But an exit this month would come as a surprise.
Surely, he will want to end when the job is done – getting us back into the Premier League. That, and he is still a crucial part of this side, playing regularly at the moment with Struijk on the sidelines again.
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