Sport nationLeeds United defender Luke Ayling has confirmed that he is close to making his loan move to Middlesbrough permanent this summer. Ayling joined Middlesbrough on loan in January in search of regular first-team football, and his £25,000-per-week deal at Elland Road will be up this summer, leaving him free to make the next move as he sees fit.
When asked about his future, Ayling admitted that it was unlikely he would return to Leeds, saying: “I think things are close, and I’m excited for what the future holds. I can’t say it’s done yet, so [I] can’t say too much, but the last four months I’ve loved being part of it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Ayling has made over 250 appearances for Leeds, scoring 11 goals and providing 21 assists during his time at Elland Road. However, he has been overlooked by manager Daniel Farke in favor of Archie Gray and Connor Roberts, leading to his departure.
Leeds United is set to lose a long-term servant after Ayling’s departure, which comes as a disappointment after the team’s failure to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League. Despite having 90 points, Leeds was beaten to the top two spots by Ipswich Town and will now face Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals.
Ayling’s exit is a blow to Leeds, but he will be fondly remembered by the fans for his contributions to the team. His permanent move to Middlesbrough is expected to be confirmed soon, bringing an end to his time at Elland Road.
Sport nation
Amina Umar