Leeds United retained list confirms Meslier exit, talks ongoing with Byram, Cairns and Karl Darlow | OneFootball

Leeds United have submitted a retained list and are in talks over the futures of Sam Byram, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow. Captain Ethan Ampadu has signed a new four-year contract. Illan Meslier will leave after seven years at Elland Road and loanee Facundo Buonanotte returns to Brighton after 36 minutes of Premier League football.

Darlow has suitors and Leeds want to keep him in next season’s goalkeeping group. The Athletic reports that Manchester United want to make him their number two this summer. He replaced Meslier for the promotion run in and did the same last season when Lucas Perri’s form led to the Brazilian being dropped by Daniel Farke.

Byram is widely expected to depart after playing just 86 minutes of first team football across all competitions last season. Cairns returned to support the goalkeeping department in what was close to a player-coach role.

Academy players Connor Douglas, Devon Brockie, Lewis Pirie and Marley Wilson will also leave at the end of June. Pirie, a striker signed from Aberdeen in summer 2023, featured sparingly for the Under 21s.

Leeds have offered new terms to 20-year-old goalkeeper Darryl Ombang, who had loans with Darlington and FC United of Manchester. Professional deals go to Freddie Lane, Jack Morris, Jacob Render, Joshua Hamilton, Will Firth and Northern Ireland Under 19 international Luke Matykiewicz. The club have also taken up a third-year option on 18-year-old keeper George Kenyon, while scholars Alex Baird and Elton Simo will depart.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk