Preparations are already underway ahead of Leeds United’s second season back in the Premier League.
Last season, Daniel Farke’s side were tremendous.
A 14th-place finish and an FA Cup semi-final exceeded everybody’s expectations prior to a ball being kicked last season.
However, with the squad back for pre-season, there is a major hint that suggests one Leeds star could be heading for the exit door.
Sam Byram absent from Leeds United pre-season social media posts
In June, Leeds confirmed they were in negotiations with Sam Byram over a potential contract extension after his current deal expired at the end of last season.
For now, that is the last we have heard regarding the full-back.
Leeds have been posting the players in pre-season training over the last couple of days. Noticeably, Byram has been absent from any of the posts.
To me, this suggests that he will probably not end up back with us for another season.
For a player of Byram’s professionalism, you would imagine he’d be one of the first ones through the door for pre-season preparations if he were staying at United.
For reference, Byram was straight back in pre-season training this time last year. The defender was being posted on social media last summer when he renewed his contract following our promotion.
But this year, it’s different. I just feel like if Byram were going to stick around for one more year, he and Leeds would have come to terms on a new deal by now.
Sam Byram should only be kept on one condition
At 32 years of age, and appearing to put some of his recent injury struggles behind him, you could not begrudge Byram if he wanted to go and play elsewhere in the twilight of his career.
Byram should only be kept around to help fill the homegrown quota and keep standards high in training. Essentially, he would be doing the job of a third-choice goalkeeper as an outfield player.
Byram did this role last season, and if he signed a new extension, he would be under no illusions that this would be his role once again.
The Englishman played just 18 minutes of Premier League football last season. In all honesty, it really depends on what Byram wants at this stage of his career. If he wants to play regularly again, he will never be able to do so at Leeds. (Sofascore)
Coming to terms on a deal for a player who would be so far down the pecking order would be easy. Or so you would imagine.
That is why I believe Byram is actively searching for a new club this summer. One where he can play a lot more regularly than he does these days at Leeds.
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