January is a month when clubs usually look to strengthen their squad but the transfer chaos can also turn focus onto securing the future of current key players. At Leeds United, growing uncertainty surrounding Junior Firpo has brought contract talks to the forefront of fan debate and as of New Year’s Day, he is free to speak with foreign clubs over a summer move, having entered the final six months of his current terms.
Firpo is not the only Leeds player currently set to leave this summer and with transfer value starting to diminish once a contract enters its final year, club chiefs will also need to have an eye on those with 18 months remaining on their current deals. There are some important first-team regulars that fit into both categories and so decisions will soon need to be made.
Below, the YEP has taken a look at the 13 senior players with Leeds contracts expiring either this summer or next. Scroll down to see who is due for talks sooner, rather than later.
7. Alex Cairns (contract expiring in 2026)
Signed a two-year contract over the summer and will be 33 when that expires. Not an overly-pressing situation, given his status as third-choice goalkeeper. Photo: LUFC
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8. Karl Darlow (contract expiring in 2026)
Second-choice goalkeeper has entered the final 18 months of his contract and currently has more minutes for Wales this season than he does Leeds. Will be 35 in October. | Getty Images
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9. Sam Greenwood (contract expiring in 2026)
Impressing on loan at Preston North End, who have an option to make his loan permanent in the summer. | Getty Images
10. Darko Gyabi (contract expiring in 2026)
Also impressing on loan at Plymouth but Leeds' reluctance to insert a permanent clause suggests they see a future for the midfielder at Elland Road. | Richard Sellers/PA Wire
11. Patrick Bamford (contract expiring in 2026)
It currently looks like Bamford will be the next 2020 promotion-winning squad member to leave - albeit probably not this month - having fallen to third-choice striker this season. Could be one to move on in the summer, with a fresh contract unlikely ahead of his 32nd birthday in September. | Getty Images
12. Illan Meslier (contract expiring in 2026)
Will have been at Leeds for seven years when his current contract expires, having initially joined on loan in 2019. Has been some recent speculation surrounding Premier League interest and the 24-year-old has struggled for form this season. The Frenchman's value will start to diminish once his contract enters it's final 12 months. | Getty Images