Leeds United are set to return for pre-season testing next week and so will be keen to start making some key transfer decisions.
The window has now been open for over two weeks and the only real activity that has taken place at Elland Road is the anticipated departures of Jack Harrison and Marc Roca.
Daniel Farke said after the play-off final defeat last month that he did not expect his squad to be fully ready by the start of pre-season, but did suggest they could be there by the start of August.
Given how little has happened since then, it would be fair to say that Leeds are going to have to start motoring and the return to pre-season could well help with that.
There should be plenty of big names back at Thorp Arch for the first day, given how few went away on international duty at the end of the club season.
Graham Smyth shares new update on Liam Cooper future
Liam Cooper is one of the players who won’t be there on the first day for two reasons, the first of which is because he was away at Euro 2024 with Scotland.
However, the main and obvious one is that he will officially be out of contract at Leeds from Monday, with June 30 his last official day.
Like Jamie Shackleton and Cody Drameh, Cooper has the offer of a new deal on the table, however at this stage it remains unsigned. The former is close to an agreement with another club, while the latter is also expected to leave.
It would be fair to say Cooper’s situation still remains very much up in the air but with his time away at the Euros now over, it will allow him to focus on his future and the Yorkshire Evening Post has shared a new update.
Alongside the offer of a new deal at Leeds, the report states Cooper now also has other options on the table and the deciding factor could be where he gets the most game time.
Despite the long-term injury to Pascal Struijk, Cooper started just one league game after New Year’s Day last season. If Leeds are to push for promotion again, it is unlikely the 32-year-old will be brought back in as a regular.
As such, if any of the clubs who have made offers to sign him can offer him regular minutes, he may well be bringing an end to his 10-year stay at Elland Road. For £600k, what a signing he has been.
What has Cooper said publicly on his future?
Cooper has not spoke much publicly about his future at Leeds but did briefly at the club’s awards ceremony back in April.
Alongside long-serving teammates Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas, Cooper was awarded the ‘Leeds United Special Achievement Award’.
Upon receiving this reward, Cooper suggested that he would love to be able to stay at Leeds for a ‘few more years’, though all the suggestions are now that he will move on.
He said: “I’ve tried everyday to lead by example, be a good example around the place and give everything I have to possibly make this club better. It’s one I’ve done with great honour, I’ve enjoyed every second and hopefully that can continue for a few more years but we’ll see.”