It has emerged that Luke Ayling is set to leave Leeds United and join Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season – and Dean Jones has explained why the defender has chosen to move to Boro.
Ayling, 32, is set to end his Leeds tenure after seven and a half years at the club. One of the best value-for-money signings this side of the millennium at Leeds. Costing just £750k, he’s played 268 matches.
A key part of our promotion push under Garry Monk and then Marcelo Bielsa, proving key in the year in which Leeds did win the Championship. A regular during the the three years in the Premier League.
On and off the pitch, a leader. Captaining Leeds on numerous occasions with Liam Cooper often on the sidelines with injury. But this season, he has struggled for game time under new manager Daniel Farke.
Archie Gray is first choice on the right, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram preferred. Phil Hay reported recently that it is unlikely Ayling, Cooper or Stuart Dallas will get new deals. Their contracts end in June.
Journalist explains real reason Luke Ayling has left Leeds United
He got 12 minutes on Sunday against Peterborough and it was his first outing for Leeds since November. Ayling has only been involved in four of the previous 11 games, and remained an unused sub in those.
It looks as if ‘Bill’ is now set to leave. Carabao Cup semi-finalists Middlesbrough have moved to sign the right-back and The Athletic say he has agreed to join Michael Carrick’s side on loan until the summer.
That means he is pretty much ending his Leeds stay, with his deal ending in June. Transfer expert Jones has reported that Leeds discussed an extension with Ayling – and many clubs were interested in him.
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