Three contract dilemmas Leeds United must solve after Ethan Ampadu four-year deal confirmed | OneFootball

Leeds United have secured captain Ethan Ampadu on a four-year extension, and attention turns to three contract calls before next season.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, chairman Paraag Marathe confirmed the agreement. Ampadu’s previous terms ran to 2027 with a one-year option, but Leeds chose to secure his long-term future.

Karl Darlow’s deal expires within weeks. He became Premier League first choice after replacing Lucas Perri following errors against Manchester United and Newcastle. A reflex stop against Wolves was up for save of the season.

Those displays strengthen his hand. With uncertainty over Perri and the near-certain exit of Illan Meslier, keeping the experienced, homegrown keeper looks sensible whatever the market brings.

Pascal Struijk’s contract runs to next summer, yet his future is less clear. He started 33 Premier League games, switching between a back four and a back three on the left.

If he will not extend, Leeds must sell or risk losing him for nothing as they look to trade. Left-footed ball-playing centre-backs are coveted, and Daniel Farke has no other.

Brenden Aaronson enters the final 12 months of a five-year contract signed after a £25 million move from RB Salzburg in 2022. Loaned out after relegation, he returned to win the Championship and help secure 14th in the Premier League.

He posted four goals and five assists last season, splitting opinion, though Farke’s trust remained constant. If sold, now makes sense, and a home World Cup with the USA could lift his value. Otherwise he offers continuity.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk