Leeds United have already secured their Premier League status for next season with games remaining, and thoughts are now starting to shift towards the summer transfer window.
With survival wrapped up, the club are stepping up their preparations behind the scenes and continuing to look at a range of possible transfer targets before the campaign ends.
Unlike last summer, Leeds are not expected to make major changes to the squad, but they still plan to strengthen several key areas ahead of the 2026/27 season.
However, Leeds are also keen to hold on to their best players and sorting out a new and improved contract for Ethan Ampadu is a priority in the coming weeks.
Leeds are relaxed about the Ethan Ampadu situation
The Leeds captain has been the lynchpin of the side this season and is probably the most important player in the Leeds squad for Daniel Farke.
He will enter the final 12 months of his contract at Leeds this summer, and there are concerns around his long-term future amid interest from other Premier League clubs.
Leeds are preparing contingency plans if Ampadu does not sign a new deal, but according to Football Insider, that is a remote possibility.
The club are relaxed about the situation, and negotiations are expected to resume between the club and the midfielder’s representatives at the end of the season.
Leeds fully expect the club captain to sign a new long-term contract at the end of the season, and an agreement is expected to be a formality.
Pete O’Rourke said, “There’s a willingness from all parties to get something sorted pretty soon, and Ampadu is content and settled at Leeds.
“Leeds are more than happy with him, so I think all parties are relaxed in this one, and I’m sure a new deal should be more than straightforward to get sorted out.”
The club need to sort out the new deal soon
Daniel Farke recently made it clear he was frustrated that Leeds still have not resolved the future of club captain Ethan Ampadu, insisting everyone already knows where he stands on the situation.
Ampadu has become Farke’s leader on the pitch, and the Leeds boss would be furious if the Welsh midfielder was allowed to leave during the summer transfer window.
It would also damage a lot of the goodwill the 49ers have built up with supporters if Ampadu’s situation is not handled properly, given how popular the captain is among the fanbase.
This is one issue Leeds simply cannot afford to get wrong, especially after the positive feeling created since the club secured promotion back to the Premier League.
