There are players who plainly have no future at Elland Road, others whose price tag or wage make their departures almost inevitable and those whose position at the club will be heavily debated before any decisions are reached.
Although the club find themselves in a period of stasis due to the uncertain nature of the ownership picture and a 49ers Enterprises takeover that is yet to be agreed, it is still possible to try and predict what will happen with a small number of players. Rodrigo, for instance, is one of the best bets to say goodbye after three up-and-down seasons at Leeds. A 2020 record signing for around £27m, the ex-Spanish international suffered from injury problems and difficulties finding a natural home in Marcelo Bielsa’s system. He did, however, find relatively profilic goalscoring form in a poor side this season and were it not for his goals then relegation would have been confirmed much earlier. Player of the Season, if there were to be one, would go to him. The forward’s wage, coupled with the value he will retain thanks to those 13 Premier League goals, makes it highly likely that he has played his last game for the club now that they are once again a Championship outfit.
There were sufficient noises about a summer move for Robin Koch even while survival was a going concern to suggest he will soon be off, prioritising his German national team dream and seeking a top-flight club in England or beyond. Junior Firpo’s time at the club is surely coming to an end as well given how poorly things have worked out for the left-back since coming to Elland Road in 2021.
Ultimately, though, everything carries the caveat that until the takeover is sorted then we don’t know who is going to come in and shape the squad, who will manage it and how players will fit into their plans. In the meantime, here’s the YEP’s early predictions, based on a mixture of what we’re hearing and common sense, for who could stay and who could go this summer.
. Joel Robles
The Spaniard is out of contract this summer. The way he took pictures with his family on the pitch before Sunday's game suggests at the very least he's entirely unsure of his Leeds future, but you could see him remaining for the Championship. Likeliest of the keeper trio to stay. Photo: Alex Livesey
. Illan Meslier
Like Koch, there have already been exit noises. He has big ambitions, he has big potential and he's very young. Expect suitors and expect Leeds to seriously consider selling him to bring in necessary transfer cash. Expect him to depart, in all likelihood. A big fee is still possible given his 2026 contract. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
. Kristoffer Klaesson
Brought in to be number two to Meslier, he has never really challenged for the number one spot and then lost his place in the pecking order to Robles. His struggles at U21 level did not go unnoticed. Given how it has panned out, an exit would be no surprise. Needs to go get football somewhere and start again. Photo: Ashley Allen
. Luke Ayling
Has another year at Leeds on his contract, would be effective in the Championship and would keep some experience in the squad. Whether he remains the number one at right-back, however, is up for debate. At some point Leeds need to find their future right-back and start to move on from the 31-year-old. Photo: Gareth Copley
. Rasmus Kristensen
Hard to predict, very much up in the air. Whilst it did not go well at all in his first season, a drop to the Championship might help him adapt better to English football. Ability in possession remains a concern. If he showed a desire to leave, the club would surely sell. If he wants to stay, they might just let him. Photo: Stu Forster
. Cody Drameh
Could and probably should be the starting right-back next season. Will he want to be? That's the big question. The management of his pathway at Leeds has been messy, to put it politely. Lots of work to be done to change his direction and retain him. He will have interested clubs. Just a year left on his deal. Exit still feels likely. Photo: Richard Heathcote
. Junior Firpo
Whilst Firpo arguably produced some of his best Leeds football towards the end of this season, it doesn't feel enough to warrant pinning the club's left-back hopes to him. Defensive concerns remain, inconsistency has been a problem as much as injuries and the potential for suspension. Best to move on for both parties, really. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
. Pascal Struijk
It feels a lot like Struijk has been particularly damaged by this season, the playing out of position at left-back and the general stress of being in this team. Retains potential, still a player in there undoubtedly but what to do with him now? Might need to leave, possibly even just on loan, to rediscover his confidence. Contracted to 2027. Photo: Stu Forster
. Max Wober
Clearly more than good enough for the Championship, at a good age, only joined in January. If he's happy to stay, Leeds will be more than happy to keep him. He's one they'll actively try and convince to remain. There's a good chance of it, too. Photo: Julian Finney
. Leo Hjelde
There are three left-sided centre-backs ahead of him at the club. The loan at Rotherham went well, but not incredibly well. He played at left-back there and wasn't considered ready to be a Championship centre-back. Another loan is possible. Two years left on his deal. If a permanent offer comes, you could see it being considered. Photo: George Wood
. Robin Koch
His Germany dream will likely dictate what happens this summer. Looks like a certain departure at this stage. Hasn't been so good that Leeds should promise the earth to keep him, hasn't been so bad that teams won't want him. Could recoup the fee they paid for him, at the very least. Photo: Julian Finney
. Diego Llorente
Bizarrely given a new contract before he was farmed out on loan to Roma. Leeds' belief that he would go to the World Cup and garner attention was unfounded. Injury record has been problematic, form was erratic at Leeds. If they can find a buyer then he goes permanently this summer. Photo: Emilio Andreoli
. Charlie Cresswell
Went away a boy, came back a man with Championship experience. Rode a storm or two but found his feet. A player Leeds should be betting big on and probably starting next season because they could eventually make a star of him. Photo: Warren Little
. Liam Cooper
Has his critics, has made mistakes but by and large was fine in the Premier League and would be more than fine in the Championship. If Wober remains, it'd be an epic tussle for the left-sided centre-back role. Definitely a player who will want to stay and fight to get Leeds back up. Photo: Gareth Copley
. Stuart Dallas
Hasn't played a minute since the 2021/22 season and how Leeds have missed him. The hope was that he would be playing by now, his international boss then hoped for June. This summer will be about getting ready to return to action. If he's even close to the player he was he'll be invaluable next season. Stays. Photo: OLI SCARFF
. Adam Forshaw
Forshaw is a very good player. When he plays he generally plays well. The problem is how often he's able to play. Out of contract but a one-year deal, or even a pay-as-you-play contract, would not seem unlikely. Experienced, good to have around. Only his injury record brings doubt. Photo: Stu Forster
. Tyler Adams
A player Leeds should and will bend over backwards to keep. Obviously there's a good chance he goes because he's the captain of an international side and proved himself a Premier League player. With his American colleagues likely to depart, he might also reluctantly say goodbye. Photo: OLI SCARFF
25. Archie Gray
Injuries, illness and the club's relegation scrap robbed him of a senior breakthrough but in the Championship it's inevitable that he finally gets first team minutes. A player Leeds remain very excited about, with good reason. Photo: Warren Little
26. Brenden Aaronson
The Athletic have reported the relegation release clause in the youngster's contract and after a pretty miserable first season of English football an exit appears best for him, especially if it lands Leeds at least a chunk of the money they shelled out for him. Didn't cut it, physically, in the top flight. Photo: OLI SCARFF
27. Crysencio Summerville
There's a pretty good chance he'll be off, seeking his fortune elsewhere. Would command a decent fee, given his potential and some of his Premier League contributions last season. It's a shame in a way because he could tear up the Championship, but remaining just doesn't feel likely. Photo: BEN STANSALL
28. Willy Gnonto
Leeds will want to keep him, they will try to keep him but by now the world knows that he's Premier League ready. Which means he's Serie A ready. You can expect bids and if his ambition lies outside the Championship then this could be a big sale but a sad one to see. Photo: Stu Forster
29. Daniel James
Spent a year away on loan because he wasn't in Jesse Marsch's plans. Expect him to come back and fight for a place in the team in the Championship. His pace will be an asset, and as long as end product follows he will be an asset. Photo: Matt McNulty
30. Joe Gelhardt
The youngster's loan at Sunderland did not go exactly to plan, he wasn't in the perfect role or system at times, but he's evidently still got a lot of potential. Leeds will seek to keep and use him next season given his experience for one so young. Photo: George Wood