Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has no future at the club after holding talks with Daniel Farke this summer to end his seven-year stay at the club.
As he heads into the last year of his contract at Elland Road, Patrick Bamford worked tirelessly through the summer to get himself sharp and fully fit for an eighth season with Leeds United.
However, he is not a part of Leeds in 2025/26 after Daniel Farke told Bamford he’s not in the plans of the club beyond this summer. Simon Jordan agrees with Farke on Bamford, and many may see it as the correct decision.
That is arguably because Bamford isn’t the same player he was under Marcelo Bielsa and is unlikely to ever be so again. Once a famous English striker, he has struggled and Bamford has since dealt with widespread criticism at Leeds.
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford warming up against Bristol City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Patrick Bamford runs half marathon amid talk over Leeds future
Bamford still hopes to play for England again, which is why he has worked so hard to get fit in Leeds’ pre-season. Of course, that is unlikely to come to fruition for the 31-year-old without regular first-team football at Premier League level or equivalent.
With those aspirations in mind, it is unlikely but Bamford could stay at Leeds and earn his wage. The striker is one of Leeds’ highest earners, so he could sit and be paid to train in the meantime.
However, Bamford’s fitness work this summer has continued. Not only that, but it has been ramping up further of late, following Farke’s words with Bamford prior to their pre-season tour.
As seen on Fylde Coast Runners’ website, Bamford ran a half marathon on Sunday — just a day after Leeds’ final pre-season game against AC Milan in Dublin. He finished 33rd of 486 runners overall thanks to a time of 01:32:34.
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He finished 31st of male runners and sported bib number 130 for the run. It follows on from Bamford’s wife helping him train during the off-season. At his best, Bamford was renowned for his engine and aggressive pressing style.
However, the question over where he now goes remains. Bamford is open to an MLS switch at some stage and perhaps his mindset could have changed after Farke’s decision, while Wrexham have been linked to Bamford as well.
Graham Smyth has suggested Stoke City for Bamford previously, but he has to find himself a new home this summer having spent seven seasons in West Yorkshire.
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Patrick Bamford’s number nine shirt stripped from him
Illan Meslier was stripped of his shirt number ahead of Leeds facing AC Milan on Saturday, and it seems as though the same treatment will head Bamford’s way, too.
That’s because Bamford is not given a squad number on Leeds United’s website in the men’s first-team squad list, nor is he listed whatsoever in that section.
That, alongside Leeds’ public pursuit of another striker to come in and challenge Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha, highlights that there is no way back for Bamford.
It’s possible that Leeds are keeping the No.9 shirt free for a signing, with Leeds target Rodrigo Muniz wearing it for Fulham over the last few seasons.