Daniel Farke is desperate to keep one Leeds United player that remains scheduled to leave the club at the end of the month, but an exit is the best move for his career in the long run.
Leeds’ inability to gain promotion from The Championship this season has left the club with some work to do in the transfer market. The club are going to have to cash in on a number of players this summer.
It means The Whites need to make a big profit to comply with Financial Fairplay and deal with the big credit card bill that was inherited when The 49ers bought the club from Andrea Radrizzani in 2023.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev and more are generating interest this summer. A handful will have to be sold, something Paraag Marathe has already confessed publicly.
In turn, Leeds will have to buy cheap to maintain a big profit this summer. It might even see The Whites try to retain some players that had the club been promoted, would otherwise have left Elland Road.
Jamie Shackleton has to ignore Farke’s wishes this summer
One of those is 24-year-old utility man and Thorp Arch academy product Jamie Shackleton. The star returned from Millwall last summer with an exit deemed inevitable, but Farke liked him and kept him.
Starting really well, Shackleton managed just 15 outings throughout the entire campaign. For a player now approaching the midway point of his career, Shackleton has only 131 club appearances to his name.
His contract is due to expire at the end of the month and if promoted, it was expected he would depart. Graeme Bailey told LeedsUnited.News that should Leeds go up he would exit, vice versa if not promoted.
Reports says other clubs are interested in Leeds star Shackleton
Leeds confirmed though that the club are in talks with Shackleton about extending his contract at Elland Road. Reports emerged on Thursday that others are interested in signing Shackleton on a free transfer.
But that Farke is keen for Shackleton to sign a new contract. But realistically, is he going to play? Leeds have already tied up a new deal for Sam Byram and there is little chance Shackleton breaks into midfield.
Indeed, a new signing is also likely on the right of defence even with Archie Gray shining. Shackleton is only going to be used as a reserve next season if he stays which understandably, is why Farke wants him.
For the good of his career and with Shackleton now 24 years of age, he has simply got to ignore Farke’s wishes and leave his boyhood club permanently to allow his career to prosper and maximise his potential.