The first permanent exit of the summer has already been confirmed at Leeds United and the player in question has now told his new club’s website that it was an “easy decision” to make.
Leeds are expected to make a number of player sales this summer in order to balance the books at Elland Road, as Leeds failed to win promotion at the first attempt on Sunday in the Championship play-off final.
Leeds are said to owe £190m in player transfers to other clubs, after splurging on a number of new faces in the summer of 2022. Promotion would have seen able to repay that figure with the help of TV money.
But another season in The Championship means parachute payments are reduced, and Leeds have to find another way to pay that cash back. Player sales will be needed and the first permanent exit is confirmed.
Luke Ayling’s move to Middlesbrough was an obvious one and will not bring any cash in at Leeds, but he has put pen to paper on a two-year deal at The Riverside after initially joining Boro on loan in January.
Luke Ayling comments on permanent Middlesbrough move
The 32-year-old starred for Middlesbrough after struggling to start under Daniel Farke during the first half of the season. He played 19 times for Boro and from wing-back, laid on a huge eight assists.
Michael Carrick commented on the move on Monday and was delighted to agree the permanent signing of Ayling, stating the former Leeds defender had had a “big impact” at Middlesbrough during his loan.
Now, Ayling has told Boro’s website: “I had a great four months so re-signing was a pretty straightforward decision. It’s been done for a while so I’m happy we can finally announce it. An easy decision to make.
“I’m sure there will have been other teams interested, but, with how the team was playing and what I feel we can do next year, that’s why I’ve signed on. I’m really excited about what we can achieve next year.”
Which other Leeds players could leave on a free transfer?
There are a handful of players that find themselves in similar positions to Ayling, having spent time out on loan but are now out of contract at Elland Road. Ian Poveda at Sheffield Wednesday, the prime example.
He is out of contract at Leeds next month, as is Cody Drameh after a loan at relegated Birmingham City. Lew Bate at MK Dons, as well while Robin Koch agreed a permanent move to Frankfurt back in January.
Liam Cooper, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram will all see their Leeds deals expire in the coming few weeks and it will be interesting to see what Leeds and Farke do with the trio. Cooper is likely to depart.