Leeds United right-back Luke Ayling has told club officials he wants to spend the rest of his career at Elland Road.
The Lowdown: Busy summer ahead
The Whites will hopefully be gearing up for a third successive season in the Premier League over the summer for Jesse Marsch’s first full campaign in charge.
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There could well be a major summer shake-up though, with the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Robin Koch all linked with exits in recent weeks.
Phillips has reportedly told Andrea Radrizzani that he wants to sign a new deal, and Ayling has seemingly now followed suit as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his current contract.
The Latest: Print newspaper update
MOT Leeds News relayed an update from The Daily Mirror’s print edition [7 April, page 53] regarding Ayling.
Journalist Jeremy Cross revealed that Ayling has told the club he would love to spend the rest of his playing days in Yorkshire, with his future currently up in the air.
The Verdict: Deserved
You could make an argument for Ayling being one of the club’s best-ever signings in recent memory, with Marcelo Bielsa working wonders with the full-back.
He cost just £250,000 from Bristol City back in 2016 and has now amassed 216 appearances for the Whites, coping with the demands of the Premier League and playing a key role in taking the club back to the top flight.
Ayling will turn 31 in the summer, though, so some supporters may well be feeling a new first-choice right-back is needed for the club to progress. However, it could make sense to keep him on over the coming years as a squad player, should he be willing to accept that role.
In other news: 'Leeds fans won’t be happy...' - Sky Sports man reacts to major update emerging from Elland Road