With the Championship season now complete, promotion secured, the trophy in the bag and parade complete – Leeds United are now experiencing the calm before the summer storm.
There will be some sore heads on Tuesday morning, with Ethan Ampadu likely to be right at the top of that list. Jayden Bogle, Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani celebrated until the early hours.
While the team have been busy partying, new sporting director Adam Underwood will be hard at work preparing a summer window at Elland Road. A crucial summer, one of the biggest in the club’s history.
Leeds need to spend big and build a squad capable of survival, with Adam Pope expecting more than £100m to be spent. But there also decisions that need to be made regarding the future of a few players.
Photo by Malcolm Bryce – LUFC/Leeds United via Getty ImagesSam Byram decision after being described as an “unsung hero”
When Sam Byram rejoined Leeds in 2023, it came after having only intended to return to Thorp Arch for training. But Daniel Farke liked what he saw, from a player he had previously signed at Norwich City.
Byram has since clocked up 67 appearances over the last two seasons and won promotion, but is out of contract this summer. TeamTalk report that Byram will not be offered a new deal following the title win.
It comes just days after Simon Grayson described Byram as an “unsung hero” in this Leeds side, saying Byram is not only making an impact on the pitch – but will be a crucial part in the Leeds dressing room.
Photo by Pat Scaasi| MB Media/Getty ImagesWhat Ethan Ampadu was chanting about Byram during parade
Clearly, it’s not something captain Ampadu wants. The Leeds skipper was heard chanting “two more years, two more years, Sammy Byram” to Leeds supporters, with Ampadu making a few faux pas.
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The versatile full-back is happy to sit on the bench and does present Leeds with a homegrown player. So it might be a touch surprising to see that Byram will not be offered new terms, even just as back-up.
Nothing has been confirmed by the club but as things stand, Leeds have three contractual issues to sort with Junior Firpo and Josuha Guilavogui also seeing their current Elland Road deals expiring in June.