Phil Hay of Yorkshire Evening Post confirmed that Leeds United have a lot of work to do if they want to keep hold of Kemar Roofe. The forward is enjoying the best spell of his career at Elland Road at the moment and has already drawn interest from Premier League clubs. The 25-year-old is in the final 18 months of his contract, and Hay indicated that negotiations between the club and the player’s representative might not be that straightforward as both of them seem to have different demands.
Hay in his ‘Inside Elland Road’ podcast said,”They’re absolutely clear that they do want to tie him down to another contract. Roofe will not be on a high salary compared to other players and he won’t be anywhere near the level of Patrick Bamford. He’ll be looking for parity, a substantial rise, a fair deal that he considers in comparison to other high earners at Leeds.”
”I’d suggest it’s one Leeds have a lot of work to do on. The last thing they want to do is to get to January or next summer where he’s got less than 12 months left on his deal. Roofe’s people seem to be concerned that Leeds won’t be able to give him what he wants but the club seems very confident about it and in the next two, three, four months we should see some progress.”
With Premier League clubs lurking around, the club soon needs to make sure they get a new deal for their talismanic forward soon. Last season, he was the top scorer for the Whites and this season under Bielsa, the Englishman has taken his game up further.
Roofe started his career at Elland Road as a winger but has thrived as a forward this season. He carries a goal threat but what makes him unique is his constant movement and search for space in the final third and his work rate. His pressing from the front is always full of intensity and the Whites missed him in the past month when he was out injured.
As Hay mentions, the player is likely looking to get a deal on par with the highest earners of the club and we believe the club should offer him such a deal as he happens to be the most crucial player this season. It would be upsetting for United faithful to know that the player’s agent is concerned about his future but things are still in its initial days and hopefully, the Whites would be able to tie him up for the considerable future.
The player’s head might turn a bit as moving to the Premier League would be considered as a step up in his career and it would be interesting to see what would happen if there is an official approach or bid for the player in January.
