Exclusive: 28-year-old is very unlikely to still be playing for Leeds United next season

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Leeds United will face some big decisions in the summer on a number of players’ future.

The Whites currently have three players on loan at the club, six players who are out of contract and a whole host who are coming towards the end of their loan spells elsewhere.

Jaidon Anthony, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts are the trio currently at Elland Road on temporary deals, and the futures of the first two certainly seem pretty clear.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has already confirmed he wants Anthony back at the club in pre-season, while it is said to be a matter of when, not if Rodon signs permanently from Tottenham.

However, for Roberts, it is far more uncertain. Leeds signed the 28-year-old on loan for the rest of the season from Burnley, in a deal that did not include an option-to-buy.

Upon signing for the club, Roberts dropped a pretty major hint that he would like to stay at Leeds long-term. However, with it uncertain what division both Burnley and Leeds will be in next season, so is his future.

With that in mind, LeedsUnited.News have spoken to transfer expert Graeme Bailey on the likelihood of Roberts being a Leeds player permanently next season.

Roberts unlikely to be joining Leeds on a permanent deal this summer

It is looking increasingly likely that Burnley will be a Championship club again next season, and so surely from their point of view, it would be a no brainer to keep him based on last year.

However, they may be powerless to stop him from leaving if he makes it clear Leeds is where he wants to be, and 49ers Enterprises stump up the money to buy him.

Bailey, though, says he does not expect Roberts to be at Leeds long-term and ‘would be surprised’ if he was signed permanently.

He said: “I don’t see it particularly, especially if Kristensen ends up coming back. I think Roberts has been OK, if he was available for very little, it is a possibility.

“You’ve got squad players but what does Roberts offer that Sam Byram doesn’t, kind of thing. It is a tough one but I don’t see him being a long-term part for Leeds, being honest. I would be surprised if he came in.”

What Connor Roberts has said about joining Leeds permanently

Roberts has only started one league game since arriving on deadline day in January, but that has not stopped him from having an impact.

His equaliser set Leeds on their way to an incredible comeback victory over Leicester City. A week later, he set up Patrick Bamford to earn Leeds a point at Huddersfield Town.

Clearly he is looking to do all he can to impress at Leeds, and here is a look at what he’s said about the potential of a permanent move.

Speaking after his arrival, he said: “It’s something I couldn’t turn down. Football’s a funny game so I’ll be doing my very best to make a good impression on and off the pitch and maybe in the future it can change from a straight loan.

“At the moment, it’s just about coming here and trying to help. To be a bit-part player for Burnley this year has been a slight disappointment.”