Sport nationLeeds United is set for a massive overhaul of their squad this summer, with several players expected to leave Elland Road. The club’s defeat in the play-off final has led to financial pressures, and they need to raise over £100m through player sales before they can start spending.
Among the players likely to leave are Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Wilfried Gnonto, and Georginio Rutter. However, it’s not just first-team players who will be departing. According to Leeds Live, three fringe players are unlikely to feature for the club again.
Ian Poveda, who joined Leeds on a free transfer in 2020, has failed to impress and is set to leave the club. His £8,250-a-week contract will not be renewed, and he will be sold or released this summer.
Cody Drameh, a young defender who spent the season on loan at Birmingham City, is also expected to leave. His £2,500-a-week contract expires this summer, and the club has no plans to offer him a new deal.
Lewis Bate, a 21-year-old midfielder who joined Leeds from Chelsea, has also played his last game for the club. He spent the second half of the season on loan at MK Dons and will be sold or released this summer.
The departures of these three players will free up around £750,000 per year from the wage bill, which will help the club trim down their squad and prepare for another promotion push next season.
Jamie Shackleton, a fullback who has been starved of gametime at Elland Road, is also likely to leave the club, while the future of club captain Liam Cooper remains unclear as he reaches the end of his contract.
Leeds United’s summer clearout is expected to be busy, with several players set to leave the club. The departures of Poveda, Drameh, Bate, and possibly Shackleton and Cooper will help the club raise funds and trim down their squad as they prepare for another promotion push next season.
Sport nation
Amina Umar