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Ex pro fears Leeds will lose ‘one of the best’ this summer, which would leave Whites scrambling

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Former England U21 international Noel Whelan has told Football Insider that he fears Leeds will lose key striker Kemar Roofe this summer.

The 26-year-old will enter the final year of his contract on July 1, and negotiations to extend his current deal have so far proved problematic with the Walsall-born ace intent on seeing his wage moved in line with strike partner Patrick Bamford and January arrival Kiko Casilla, in the £30,000-a-week bracket.

Negotiations to get around the impasse have so far proven unsuccessful, with the two parties still far apart.

What may be playing into Roofe’s favour is the reports of Aston Villa lining the West Bromwich Albion product up as a potential Tammy Abraham replacement, with the Chelsea-owned attacker set to return to Stamford Bridge.

If the club cannot tie Roofe down to a long-term contract and decide to cash-in on the 17 goal star (15 scored, 2 assists in all competitions), they may be left scrambling to find someone who will give us the same kind of impact given how injury-prone Bamford has proven to be.

For Whelan, he fears losing Roofe as the uncapped Jamaica international is one of the best at what he does in the Championship, and is a player United cannot afford to lose if we are to attempt another promotion run next season.

“I’m very concerned about the contract talks. It’s important to keep him,” he said.

“You don’t want to lose a player who regularly scores goals, it’s as simple as that. Kemar Roofe is one of the best strikers in the Championship when he is at his best, and he is a player we don’t want to lose.

“He needs to bag more goals, and that means going to the next level and scoring 20 goals or more in the Championship. Can he cut it in the Premier League? I’m not sure, no-one knows that.”

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