The 49ers could be about to make a very strange contract decision at Leeds United

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Now the transfer window is firmly in the rear view window, Leeds United may start putting their focus towards contracts.

In fact, that is something Leeds have already done, with Wilfried Gnonto putting pen-to-paper on a new four-year-deal just a matter of hours after the window slammed shut.

Considering the position Gnonto was in 13 months ago after handing in a transfer request, no one would’ve foreseen him being the one committing his future to a second successive Championship season.

That is particularly when you recall how he was the only one of him, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray who was a regular starter in that Premier League season.

But now his is done, Leeds need to start making some decisions on those whose contracts expire in the next year or two.

• READ MORE: Leeds United fans are all saying the same thing about Mateo Joseph after what he did for Spain U21s

49ers need to avoid Patrick Bamford mistake at Leeds

On top of Junior Firpo and Sam Byram being out on contract next summer, Patrick Bamford, Dan James, Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow are the quartet with less than two years remaining.

According to reports, Leeds now view the possibility of offering Bamford an extension as a ‘priority’, with the striker also keen on signing fresh terms.

However, this is something Leeds should be avoiding at all costs. Bamford is one of the highest paid players at Elland Road and simply isn’t offering any value for money.

It is now three years that Bamford has been struggling with form and fitness. Aside from a good run between January and March last season, he hasn’t delivered consistently since lockdown football.

Not only did Bamford miss the crunch period of the promotion run-in in 2023/24, he has also began this season on the sidelines and so tying him to a new long-term contract when he has proven he can’t stay fit would be baffling.

Mateo Joseph is now very much Leeds’ first choice starting striker and given his age, could be for a very long time.

However, at some point he will need some support and considering how often he is injured, Bamford cannot provide that.

The most logical next step would be for Bamford to move on so he can get a fresh start and Leeds can buy someone who can give Joseph proper competition.

• READ MORE: Leeds player not used by Daniel Farke yet hailed as one of his country’s best players in Nations League match

Neil Redfearn says Bamford is now a ‘problem’ at Leeds

Following Leeds’ win over Hull City last weekend, Neil Redfearn gave his opinion on Bamford’s situation.

Redfearn is also of the belief Bamford simply cannot be relied upon anymore and that Leeds another striker to come in as Joseph’s understudy, who can replace the Spaniard when he’s feeling tired.

These sort of comments make a mockery of the potential of 49ers handing Bamford an extension at this stage of his career.

He said: “You need strikers. You can’t rely on Bamford, he’s never fit. That’s a problem. You need a striker equal to Joseph off the bench because there will be times when he runs himself into the ground. Strikers are key.”