Leeds United having a poor recent history of losing players on a free at the end of their contracts and it made me wonder, just who will be able to leave for nothing next summer.
Leeds have lost experienced first team players, Jermaine Beckford, Neil Kilkenny and Bradley Johnson in the past two summers after they all refused new deals at Elland Road. All three were allowed to run down their contracts, eventually leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer.
This summer the news as all has been about last season`s player of the season Max Gradel, who is going into the final year of his current deal.
Rumours refuse to go away, this week Fulham and West Ham have once again been linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international with the transfer window closing in six days time.
If he does stay past the end of August, we then see Leeds moving into familiar territory, unless they can persuade the winger to sign a new deal at Elland Road.
So just who else are we in danger of losing?
As well as Gradel, club captain Jonny Howson is moving into his final year.
Howson as made over 200 appearances for his boyhood club since making his debut in 2006.
Ramon Nunez is proving to be a success since making his breakthrough this season. He was given a one-year deal at the end of last season and will also be out of contract.
Another seven players are also moving into their final year. Michael Brown was given a one-year deal in the summer after joining from Portsmouth.
Players on the fringe of the first team, Lloyd Sam, Ben Parker, Alex Bruce, Aidan White, Zac Thompson and Mike Grella are also in their final year with Grella actually on the transfer list.
We have a further ten players who we will have the same predicament with next summer.
There are only four players with current first team experience contracted up to 2014, Andy Lonergan, Davide Somma, Luciano Becchio and youngster Charlie Taylor.
Player contracts
Short term – New Year
Andy Keogh – On loan from Wolves
Summer 2012
Darren O`Dea – On loan from Celtic
Max Gradel
Mike Grella – Transfer listed
Alex Bruce
Michael Brown
Lloyd Sam
Jonny Howson
Ben Parker
Ramon Nunez
Aidan White
Zac Thompson
Alex Cairns
Nathan Turner
Lewis Turner
Summer 2013
Paul Connolly
Patrick Kisnorbo
Billy Paynter
Paul Rachubka
Adam Clayton
Federico Bessone – Transfer listed
Tom Lees
Robert Snodgrass
Leigh Bromby
Ross McCormack
Summer 2014
Andy Lonergan
Luciano Becchio
Davide Somma
Charlie Taylor
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