Revealed: Alioski reveals 'love' for Leeds, contract may be signed within weeks
Leeds United are hopeful of tying Ezgjan Alioski to a new and improved contract within weeks after he went public with his desire to stay.
Football Insider revealed in October that United were opening new contract talks with the 28-year-old, and then updated last month to report a long-term deal was being offered to him.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that discussions are underway and there is hope in the boardroom that terms can be agreed ahead of the January window.
United want the deal done before the window opens, as the Macedonia international could then sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club.
Alioski's current deal, signed when he joined in the summer of 2017, expires next summer.
The player revealed to the BBC earlier this month he would "love to stay" at Elland Road
A deal worth more than £30,000-a-week, and £5million-plus in total, is being put on the table for the versatile wide man.
A four-year contract would bring him in line with other long-serving Leeds stars of a similar age.
The likes of Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling and Mateusz Klich all signed deals in the autumn of last year when they were in their late 20s that run until 2023 or 2024.
Alioski is a key member of the Leeds team that has made such an impression since their return to the Premier League this season.
He has started five of their last six Premier League matches and Bielsa revealed at his media conference on Wednesday that the left-sided ace will start Friday night's clash against West Ham.
It is expected that will be at left-back, with Stuart Dallas redeployed to right-back and Luke Ayling moved across to centre-back to cover for injured summer signings Diego Llorente and Robin Koch.