---
title: "Leeds: Luke Ayling never planned to leave Whites"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-premier-league-luke-ayling-whites-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-02-18T21:20:36Z"
modified: "2023-02-18T21:20:36Z"
---

# Leeds: Luke Ayling never planned to leave Whites

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) stalwart Luke Ayling was never planning on leaving Elland Road during the summer transfer window, journalist Dean Jones has claimed.**

### The Lowdown: Ayling a modern hero

The 31-year-old has been one of the Whites’ most loyal and consistent players in recent years, rising through the divisions and helping return to the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/).

Earlier this week, the Englishman [signed](https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/31055/luke-ayling-s-contract-extended) an automatic extension on his current deal, meaning he should now stay until the end of the 2023/24 season.

### The Latest: No summer exit planned

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/leeds-transfer-news-35k-a-week-star-no-intention-leaving-elland-road/), transfer expert Jones said Ayling never intended to leave Leeds this summer, such is his love for the club:

> “He loves this club and he’s never had any intention of leaving. He is one of the leaders and they need players like him in the position that they’re in. Personally, I think it’s the right decision to be moving forward with someone like Ayling right now.
>
> “You need players like that, especially at a time like this when the fans are going to be restless, to kind of be that middleman between the team, the management, the board and the fans.”

### The Verdict: Great news for Leeds

Ayling has racked up over [200 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-ayling/alletore/spieler/67420) for Leeds since arriving from Bristol City in 2016, and while he hasn’t always been first choice right-back this season, he still has [plenty of league outings](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/82877/Show/Luke-Ayling) to his name.

While Ayling isn’t necessarily quite the player he once was, considering he turns 32 this year, adding the extra year to his contract makes complete sense.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418869″\]

The [£35,000-a-week](https://www.spotrac.com/epl/leeds-united-fc/luke-ayling-49609/) defender knows Leeds inside out and continues to provide defensive tenacity and attacking quality, averaging [2.2 tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/82877/Show/Luke-Ayling) per game in the league this season.

Ayling will likely have to accept that he will be a squad player from now on but he is still extremely useful, with journalist Phil Hay [saying](https://twitter.com/PhilHay_/status/1624790412618612738?s=20) he has ‘properly found himself’ again in recent weeks.

His experience will be vital in these remaining months of the season, as Leeds battle relegation, and his [leadership](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-dressing-luke-ayling-26258745) in the dressing room will be huge.