Immediate attention will focus on the trio out of contract this summer but Leeds will be mindful of six others
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:30, 18 Feb 2026
Leeds United have a number of players out of contract in 2027
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Leeds United have a number of players out of contract in 2027(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Leeds United have three goalkeepers out of contract this summer and sorting their futures will be a priority - but there is also the long-term picture to consider.
Six senior outfield players enter the final year of their contracts in July, with these stars able to speak to overseas clubs from January onwards if a renewal is not agreed. The decision to offer a new deal may be clearer in the cases of some more than others.
For a few, the coming months and perhaps year will dictate which way the board leans. But for others, Leeds may wish to lock down their player to a longer-term contract, be it to secure their future or to retain value, which decreases with every contract month that passes.
Here are the six Leeds players who are out of contract in 2027.
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Ethan Ampadu
It seems like a no-brainer to entice him to extend. The wider football community is starting to take notice of his impact on United’s play as well as his leadership skills. It’s easy to forget he is a 25-year-old captain.
Ampadu makes the team tick and while his game is not perfect, Leeds look far weaker without him in the side. He is vital to what Leeds do and he is one of a handful of players who are irreplaceable if lost to injury or suspension
Continue on his trajectory and it would be no surprise if European-fledged clubs come sniffing - which is even more reason to tie him down, if to retain value if nothing else.
Joel Piroe
As clear as it seems to give Ampadu a renewal, equally as clear it is not to hand Piroe one. The striker was integral to last season’s Championship promotion campaign but the writing is on the wall, especially after his absence from the starting XI vs Birmingham City.
Piroe is fourth, arguably fifth-choice, striker option with Noah Okafor and Brenden Aaronson used ahead of him in the second striker role. The only way Piroe continues his career at Leeds is if the club drops back down to the Championship - but then, he might not wish to stay for other reasons as a result.
Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson is in top form
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Brenden Aaronson is in top form(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Three months ago, the jury would have returned a definite ‘no’ verdict. But three months is a long time in football and some may wish for Aaronson to be kept on given what he has shown in recent weeks.
Aaronson is still only 25 years and still has his peak years ahead of him in theory. Daniel Farke is undoubtedly an admirer and will want him for as long as he is at the club.
But we are yet to decipher whether his recent form is a purple patch or a sustained rise in quality. That will only be told in time and so a decision on what to do may be on hold until there is more clarity.
Pascal Struijk
There was interest in Struijk over the summer but he ultimately stayed on at Leeds and remains an important player, starting all but three Premier League games he has been available for this season.
When Farke asked the board to keep hold of his core squad members over the summer, Struijk was named among them. There is bound to be interest in him this summer, but given the switch to a back-three, he is crucial for Leeds right now.
Leeds may wish to wait for time to give a better indication of which way to go but summer interest may dictate that they make a contract decision sooner, especially if United stay up and acquire another centre-half in the meantime.
Lukas Nmecha
Seven goals in a debut season that has not nearly ended is a fantastic return. Nmecha is the dream back-up striker in many senses. He was handed a two-year deal upon signing, likely due to his past injury record.
It makes sense to see how he gets on in a second season before making any call. Ultimately he arrived for nothing so Leeds would lose nothing if he left at the end of his contract. Yet if he continues his form, aside from injury problems, there is no reason for Leeds not to keep him on.
Ilia Gruev
Gruev has started the last eight Premier League matches and has become an unexpected staple in the side. He was considered the fifth choice midfield pick at the start of the season amid competition from Sean Longstaff, Ao Tanaka and Anton Stach, with Ampadu always a dead-cert starter.
But Gruev has been the reliable player Farke can lean on. His work ethic, application and consistency is what endears him to the manager. The Bulgarian has not always been perfect but has shown the levels he can reach, such as his sublime assists against Nottingham Forest.
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Yet Leeds will probably dip for a new midfielder in the summer and where Gruev fits within the blueprint will be interesting. Again, his contract renewal decision might be something that gets discussed later down the line.