Leeds United continue to work actively in the January window with days remaining, as they look to strengthen their squad before the deadline.
Working within strict financial limits, the Whites have already added to their attacking options by securing Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton after he rejected the same move last summer.
Leeds are also weighing up striker targets and are understood to be intensifying talks for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, with his proposed move to Crystal Palace now expected to collapse following significant developments on Thursday.
However, the Whites are working on securing the future of a few key stars at Elland Road, and the club are now set to open talks with the most important player in the squad.
Leeds United to offer a new deal to Ethan Ampadu amid interest from Premier League clubs
Ampadu has again been immense at the heart of the Leeds midfield and is one of the first names on Daniel Farke’s team sheets in the Premier League.
The Leeds captain has again led from the front and has added calmness and quality to the team following the step up from the Championship last season.
He has 18 months left on his contract, and it has been claimed that his performances have not gone unnoticed, as a few clubs in the Premier League and Europe are keeping tabs on him.
Leeds are in no mood to entertain offers for their captain, and according to TEAMTalk, the club are set to offer a new contract to the midfielder.
The club will soon open talks with the midfielder’s representatives over a new deal and hope to finalise an agreement with the player as soon as possible.
Ampadu feels settled at Leeds and is expected to sign the new contract once he is offered a significant wage bump on the fresh terms.
The 49ers must get it done soon
Farke cannot imagine a Leeds team without Ampadu, and the Welshman has often been rushed back from injuries once he has been fit to play.
He is the embodiment of the Leeds manager on the pitch and is probably the most important player in the squad.
| Leeds United Career Stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 107 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 3 |
However, he is still on a contract worth £40,000 per week and is definitely not one of the top earners in the Leeds squad despite his importance.
Most of the new signings earn more than him, and even Daniel James earned a huge increase in his wages when he signed a new contract last year.
While Ampadu is happy at Leeds, he knows his worth, and it is not hard for a player’s head to turn if he feels undervalued at a club.
Several Premier League clubs would be happy to offer him a massive pay rise, so Leeds must act fast and finalise the terms of a new contract soon.
