Sources: Leeds talks imminent as new deal on the cards

Sources: Leeds talks imminent as new deal on the cards

Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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Leeds United are set to hold talks with Pablo Hernandez over a new contract, Football Insider understands.

The Spanish attacking midfielder, 34, signed a two-year deal last year that commits him to United until the summer of 2020.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club are keen to discuss an extension with one of the key players in Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Hernandez' current agreement includes the guarantee of a one-year extension if Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League during the period covering the contract.

But the Spaniard's form has been so outstanding over the last 12 months that the club are keen to reward him with a new deal regardless of Championship success.

The former Spain international turned 34 in April and will be 36 by the end of the 2020-21 season but he has played some of the best football of his career during his four seasons at Elland Road.

He has won the Leeds player of the year award in the last two seasons, as well as the players' player of the year, as nominated by all of his team-mates, in both 2017-18 and 2018-19.

There have been few signs this campaign that Hernandez's influence has diminished.

He started Leeds' first eight league matches of the season as they stormed out of the Championship blocks, scoring twice and supplying two assists.

The Spaniard missed three games before the international break due to injury but is likely to be in contention to start when the programme returns this weekend.

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