Leeds United have offered one of their out-on-loan players a new contract to stay at Elland Road this summer, but it is claimed it is unlikely he will put pen to paper.
The Whites have announced their retained list and it states that Sam Byram has agreed a one-year deal, taking the versatile full-back to the summer of 2025 with his previous contract ending this month.
The report also says that the club have offered four new deals to players that remain on the Leeds books, and are in talks with both Jamie Shackleton and Liam Cooper about extending their tenures at the club.
One of those four players is 22-year-old star Cody Drameh, who has spent the entire 2023-24 season out on loan at Birmingham City. Drameh returned last summer after helping Luton Town get promoted.
Instead of signing permanently with Luton, the “outstanding” defender stayed at Elland Road but after a few weeks he was ushered out of the door by Daniel Farke and joined Birmingham on loan until now.
Cody Drameh offered new Leeds contract but is unlikely to sign it
The right-back started well at Birmingham despite the constant change of managers. He was first choice under John Eustace and then Wayne Rooney, but injury hampered him when Tony Mowbray took charge.
With Mowbray ill and replaced by Gary Rowett, Drameh failed to start any of the last seven league games. With Blues relegated, Drameh returns to Elland Road but his contract will expire at the end of the month.
Leeds confirm they have offered him a new deal, but Birmingham Live report that Drameh is unlikely to sign it with a number of Championship clubs interested in signing Drameh as a free agent this summer.
Why Leeds have offered Drameh a deal despite lack of future
Leeds know that Drameh has not future at Elland Road. However, he cost the club a fee of £1m in 2020 from Fulham and The Whites are keen not to lose all of that investment by letting Drameh go on a free.
To be in line for a compensation figure for a player of 23 or under, the club have to at least offer a new deal to show they have tried to keep him on board even if they are fully aware he is not signing on.
The chances are, that Leeds and Drameh already know that the player will be leaving on a free. But the only issue is that now, Drameh will have to find himself a club that are willing to pay a compensation fee.
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