Daniel Farke told which £7m star should be Leeds United’s first summer signing | OneFootball

Jermaine Beckford has urged Leeds United to make Ethan Ampadu’s contract renewal their first piece of summer business, describing the move as vital.

“For me it's vital,” he said of a new deal for the captain. He was speaking to Leeds Live.

Ampadu, 25, enters the final 12 months of his contract in July after an impressive season back in the Premier League. Daniel Farke has called him his most important player and on Sunday stressed the need to keep the core of the squad. He won both the club’s player of the year and players’ player awards last week and cost £7m from Chelsea in 2023.

“You look at what he's been able to achieve since he signed for the club. The steps he's made to improve himself on a personal level, but also those around him. And that's the sign of a true leader.”

Pascal Struijk is also out of contract in a year’s time after six years at the club, having had offers last summer and with interest that could resurface. “Similar to Ethan, you look at the quality he possesses, how well he's done back in the Premier League as well. Very strong, very organised. I would like to see him stay for another couple of years.”

Source: Leeds Live