Leeds United have given themselves some breathing room with a six-point cushion above the relegation zone, and there’s a growing belief that Premier League safety is within touching distance.
With survival edging closer, thoughts are naturally starting to drift towards the future. The club are already laying the groundwork for a busy summer, with clear plans to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
A new goalkeeper is likely to be high on the agenda, and Leeds are also preparing to step up their interest in Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney with a firm approach.
However, Leeds are pushing to secure the futures of key players, and there is a big concern about the contract situation of club captain Ethan Ampadu.
Ethan Ampadu contract is ‘a concern’ for Leeds United
Ampadu has been the lynchpin of the Leeds team for more than two seasons and has proved himself at the Premier League level in the ongoing campaign.
He will enter the final year of his contract in the summer, and Leeds are working towards offering him a new deal in the coming months.
However, nothing has been agreed yet, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown is certain that Leeds are wary of the contract situation of their club captain.
He is confident that Leeds will do everything to tie down Ampadu on a new deal once they are guaranteed to secure Premier League survival.
“Ampadu has been such an important player for Leeds”, Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s the type of player who is going to give you a seven or eight out of ten performance every single week, and that’s exactly what you need as a team like Leeds.
“You need consistency and reliability, and he gives them both of those things, as well as his leadership, which has also been massively important.
“I think they will be doing everything they can to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
“The situation with his contract might be a concern, of course, because it’s never good to see a key player heading into the final year of their deal.
“But I think they’ll make efforts to tie him down to a new deal before the end of the season, especially if they stay up, and I can see him being happy to stay.”
The club are playing with fire
Ampadu is not just the club captain; he’s Daniel Farke’s on-field general. His presence in midfield settles those around him, bringing composure and structure whenever Leeds are under pressure.
His consistency in the Premier League this season hasn’t gone unnoticed either, with pundits regularly praising his performances and leadership.
Ethan Ampadu – Leeds United Appearances This Season| Competition | Matches | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 25 | 2,223′ |
| FA Cup | 2 | 165′ |
| Total | 27 | 2,2388′ |
Yet despite his importance, he is still significantly underpaid, and a new contract feels long overdue. He has been outstanding from the moment he walked through the door, which makes it all the more surprising that Leeds have not already tied him down to improved terms.
The club moved quickly to hand Daniel James a new deal earlier in the campaign, a decision that hasn’t exactly paid off so far. In contrast, few would have questioned prioritising Ampadu’s future, especially given his influence and importance to the side.
If Leeds fail to get a new agreement over the line before the summer, there will be no shortage of clubs ready to test their resolve for a player of his calibre.
