Leeds United have had a fascinating return to the Premier League this season. Relegation has never looked like a serious threat for the Whites, and their fans will be looking to build on their mid-table finish next season with eyes on European football.
To achieve that many feel Leeds will need to not only keep hold of manager Marcelo Bielsa and key players like Raphinha, but also add more quality and depth to their squad.
So with another big summer ahead at Elland Road, what do we know about what lies ahead already in the next transfer window for the Yorkshire outfit?
Well, there are currently five players in the current squad who are set to depart United at the end of next month as their contracts come to an end.
The first and perhaps most worrying is the end of Jack Harrison’s loan deal from Manchester City – although the Whites are heavily favoured to land the winger on a permanent deal. Harrison has spent the last three seasons on loan at Elland Road and has thrived in the Premier League, scoring seven and assisting six in his 32 league matches this campaign.
Of those permanently contracted, Ezgjan Alioski is the most regular first-teamer who is set to leave for free in the coming weeks. The North Macedonian international has played most of the season at left-back and is somewhat of a cult figure at Elland Road, but there is no clue yet on where his future lies despite heavy links to a certain Turkish club.
Another cult hero whose contract is running down is that of Gaetano Berardi who has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club. The Swiss right-back has been at Leeds since 2014, making 142 appearances, and will be hoping to play at least one game in England’s top division before he departs.
Elsewhere, Scottish left-back Barry Douglas, who has spent the season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, will also depart for free this summer, as will Dutch player Ouasim Bouy who has failed to make a single appearance since signing from Juventus in 2017.
Full list of Leeds players off-contract from July 1, 2021:
Jack Harrison (loan expires)
Ezgjan Alioski
Gaetano Berardi
Barry Douglas
Ouasim Bouy
Verdict: Keeping Jack Harrison is a must for Leeds after the season he has had. The fans are split on Alioski but if they want to go to that next level then a natural left-back is needed. Berardi has been a great servant but his time has passed, as is the case with Barry Douglas. Ouasim Bouy will go down as one of the most bizarre signings in the history of Leeds United – a player most Whites fans have probably not heard of and most likely won’t remember as he will leave without a single appearance to his name.
