Leeds United warned replacing Pascal Struijk may prove costly as contract call nears | OneFootball

Leeds United have been warned that replacing Pascal Struijk could prove difficult and expensive as the defender enters the final year of his deal.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Gary McAllister views left-footed centre-backs of Struijk’s profile as scarce and costly.

Struijk, 26, has 12 months remaining and must choose whether to extend his eight-year stay or seek a new challenge.

If he opts to move on, Leeds’ self-sustaining model points to a sale rather than risking a free exit, especially given he arrived for virtually nothing in 2018 and would deliver a significant profit.

Two major contract calls remain after Ethan Ampadu signed for four years, with first-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow out of contract in days and talks ongoing amid outside interest.

Leeds are expected to assess left-footed options regardless of Struijk’s decision, as the vice-captain is the only natural pick on the left of a three and brings composure on the ball, physicality and leadership.

McAllister stressed the value of stability and the relationship between goalkeeper and centre-backs, praising seasons from Struijk, Darlow and Joe Rodon. He also suggested defenders of Struijk’s type can cost £50 million or more, a bracket Leeds are not in.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk