Patrick Bamford not the only Leeds United star expected to confirm long-term future in coming weeks

Leeds United are confident of finalising Patrick Bamford's long-term future at the end of the season.
NEW DEALS? Patrick Bamford's long-term Leeds United future is expected to be confirmed in the summer, when players like Stuart Dallas will be in line for new deals to reflect their Premier League status. Pic: Bruce RollinsonNEW DEALS? Patrick Bamford's long-term Leeds United future is expected to be confirmed in the summer, when players like Stuart Dallas will be in line for new deals to reflect their Premier League status. Pic: Bruce Rollinson
NEW DEALS? Patrick Bamford's long-term Leeds United future is expected to be confirmed in the summer, when players like Stuart Dallas will be in line for new deals to reflect their Premier League status. Pic: Bruce Rollinson

Bamford is one of a number of first team players for whom contract extensions are expected to be agreed and confirmed in the summer, when Marcelo Bielsa's future will top the agenda.

The Leeds head coach's preference is for one-year deals, negotiated at the conclusion of each campaign and his stature and body of work since arriving at the club in 2018 make him their number one priority of the close season.

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Although he is yet to give an indication of his intentions, he admitted earlier in the season that his liking for one-year contracts did not rule out the prospect of remaining at the club for a longer period of time and the Leeds United hierarchy believe they can secure his services for the 2021/22 campaign.

And while the Elland Road future of Gjanni Alioski, who is yet to sign the deal offered by Leeds and is out of contract this summer, remains in doubt, Leeds have no concerns when it comes to Bamford.

Their leading goalscorer is believed to be entirely content, particularly after a stellar season in the top flight, with 15 goals to date and recognition, albeit without a call up, from England boss Gareth Southgate

He signed a four-year deal when he joined from Middlesbrough in 2018 but his contract status was called into question when the FA's annual list of intermediary transactions showed an 'updated registration' next to Bamford's name at the end of March, with separate transactions between the club and his father Russell, and the Stellar Group agency. The YEP understands Leeds expect to confirm a new deal that will keep the 27-year-old at Elland Road as he enters his prime, in their end-of-season contract review.

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By securing Premier League status for next season in such timely fashion, Leeds are in a more assured position when it comes to contract renewals than at the same stage of previous seasons, when they did not yet know which league they would compete in during the following campaign. And their hopes of a top-half finish remain alive, which will help financially, bringing in more revenue in prize money than was initially anticipated when they plotted their top flight return.

Players like Tyler Roberts, whose contract is also due to expire in just over a year's time, and Stuart Dallas, not out of contract until 2023 but a strong contender for Player of the Year thanks to his remarkable consistency against elite opposition, are among those likely to enter talks for contracts that will further reflect their Premier League status.

Although there has yet been no talk of a new deal for midfield star Kalvin Phillips, under contract until 2024, it stands to reason that Leeds may also consider tying down key assets. Phillips has become an England regular during his first ever season of Premier League football and appears likely to gain major tournament experience with the national team this summer at the European Championships.

His performances for his country, Premier League performances and Leeds' struggle to replace the home-grown talent when he has missed out through injury, have only underlined his importance to the Whites.

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