Ethan Ampadu has been Leeds United’s most important player since he joined in 2023. However, he is still on the original contract he signed and will enter the final 12 months of the deal in the summer.
Ampadu is the first name on Daniel Farke’s team sheets, and it will be no surprise if he starts against Norwich City today, even though a rotated team are expected to take the pitch at Elland Road.
The midfielder is currently on a £40,000-per-week deal, which places him well below the top earners in the Leeds squad. In fact, there are players who feature mainly as squad options who take home higher wages than him.
They have been planning to open talks over a new deal with his representatives. However, it has been claimed that the club are not in any hurry.
Leeds United are ready to delay the new contract for Ethan Ampadu
The Whites definitely want to hold on to the club captain and are ready to offer him an improved contract to reward his consistency at Elland Road.
However, according to journalist Sebatien Vidal, the club are ready to let the talks stretch beyond the end of the season for Ampadu’s new deal.
He has a little over a year left on his current deal, but Leeds are confident that the Welshman will sign a new contract with the club.
Talks are scheduled to take place between the Whites and Ampadu’s representatives over fresh terms in the coming days and weeks.
However, they are not worried if they cannot finalise a new contract with the midfielder before the end of the season and are prepared to stretch the negotiations.
Leeds are not worried about losing him at the moment and expect Ampadu to sign a new contract at some point in the upcoming months.
The Whites are playing with fire
Ethan Ampadu is more than just the club captain; he’s effectively Farke’s lieutenant on the pitch. His presence in midfield brings calm and organisation, especially in moments when Leeds are under pressure, and his leadership often helps steady the team.
His performances in the Premier League this season haven’t gone unnoticed either. Pundits have repeatedly highlighted both his consistency and the authority he brings to the side.
Ethan Ampadu – Leeds United Appearances This Season| Competition | Matches | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 24 | 2,333′ |
| FA Cup | 2 | 165′ |
| Total | 26 | 2,478′ |
What makes the situation surprising, though, is that despite his importance, Ampadu is still earning well below what you would expect for a player of his stature in the team. A new contract feels overdue. Since arriving at the club, he has been one of Leeds’ most reliable performers, which makes the delay in rewarding him with improved terms all the more puzzling.
Earlier in the season, Leeds were quick to hand Daniel James a new deal, a decision that, so far, hasn’t really delivered the expected return. By comparison, prioritising Ampadu’s future would have been far easier to justify, given just how central he is to the team.
If Leeds allow the situation to drift into the summer without reaching an agreement, they could easily find themselves under pressure, with plenty of clubs likely to show interest in a player of Ampadu’s quality.
