Harry Wilson was offered a new contract at Fulham but is expected to leave this summer, with Leeds United among a number of clubs interested in the Wales forward
Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson know each other well from their exploits with Wales
Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson know each other well from their exploits with Wales(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
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Ethan Ampadu believes Leeds United is a "pretty easy sell" to prospective signings, and admits he sings the club's praises whenever he links up with the Wales squad — of which Harry Wilson is a member.
Wilson — who had agreed personal terms with Leeds on transfer deadline day last year before Fulham pulled out at the eleventh hour — becomes a free agent next month, having registered 10 goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League appearances last season.
Wilson was alongside Ampadu — as well as Leeds trio Joe Rodon, Daniel James and Karl Darlow — during Wales' September internationals while last summer's deadline day drama was playing out. Ultimately, Wilson remained at Fulham and went on to enjoy the finest top-flight campaign of his career.
The winger is expected to attract considerable interest this summer given his impressive season and his free agent status. Wilson has been offered fresh terms at Fulham, but the general expectation is that he will move on from Craven Cottage.
Leeds skipper Ampadu — who spoke to journalists on Monday following the signing of a new four-year contract at Elland Road last week — was asked whether he has been attempting to tempt Wilson to West Yorkshire during Wales' internationals this month, reports Leeds Live.
Laughing off the question, the 25 year old said: "I'm trying to sell it to everyone to be honest. I think it's a pretty easy sell. I think everyone knows how special the place Leeds is, but whenever anyone asks how our time is at Leeds when we're in Wales, we obviously speak about it so glowingly." As of the second week of June, Leeds are yet to make significant progress on any incoming transfers. However, Ampadu could already be considered the signing of the summer, given his pivotal role within the side and the statement his commitment makes to prospective targets.
Reflecting on his new deal, Ampadu said: "I want to be able to say that I've gone on to a lot of higher levels. [I am] wanting to play and better myself as a person, better myself as a player, and that's my goal.
"I still believe that I've still got a lot to learn, still got a lot give and develop and I want be able to finish my career saying that I have taken everything out of it that I possibly can and achieve the absolute maximum.
"I've signed four years here at Leeds because I think everyone's along those same lines and everyone wants to deliver that."
Ampadu went on to say: "I think definitely it's a club - players involved, staff involved, a fan base involved - that want to go on to greater things. I think we also do understand that the second year in the Premier League is just as hard as the first and we've got to make sure that we do well enough to stay in the Premier League.
"Then from that point onwards we want to kick on. That's going to be a goal of ours. Everyone wants to take the club on to great heights and get back to the places that Leeds United used to be and what a lot of the fans know Leeds United to be."