With the transfer window now closed, Leeds United have turned their attention to some important decisions regarding the futures of several players as they plan for the next stage of squad building.
Leeds have made an encouraging start to life back in the Premier League and are already being tipped to steer clear of the relegation battle when the season reaches its business end.
The club have also extended the contracts of certain key players such as Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson and are working on finalising a new deal for manager Daniel Farke.
However, there are players in the Leeds squad who are in the final year of their contracts, and the club have now made a major decision on one such star.
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Leeds set to offer new deal to 27-year-old
Lukas Nmecha has scored seven goals in 41 appearances since joining Leeds last summer and is the only natural striker in the squad after Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
He is not a prolific goalscorer, but remains an important part of the squad. Leeds rejected an approach from Wrexham for the forward in the summer window.
However, Leeds now have a major headache as Nmecha is in the final year of his Leeds contract and already has a history of running down his deals at previous clubs.
He joined Leeds on a free transfer from Wolfsburg, and there are suggestions that he could do the same at Elland Road.
According to Football Insider, Leeds are set to open preliminary talks with Nmecha over a new contract to gauge his thoughts on signing an extension.
The striker is not a starter, and Leeds may have to offer him assurances over playing time if he has to sign a new contract with the Whites.
However, Leeds are keen to understand whether he is prepared to commit his future before discussing the terms of a new agreement with Nmecha.
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A new contract for Nmecha would be a surprise
Nmecha is a useful option to have in the Leeds squad, but his role is unlikely to extend much beyond that. He has never been a prolific scorer and does not appear likely to establish himself as the club’s first-choice striker at Elland Road.
One would think Leeds would try to sign the long-term replacement for Dominic Calvert-Lewin next summer after avoiding the issue in the last transfer window.
Keeping Nmecha on a new deal makes little sense if Leeds sign another striker next year to compete with Calvert-Lewin, as he is unlikely to play much.
It is also uncertain whether the forward would be prepared to continue at Leeds in a reduced role when he is already not starting games for the club.
