Leeds United 'to open talks' over Ethan Ampadu deal
Leeds United are prepared to do everything in their power to keep Ethan Ampadu at the club for the foreseeable future as he remains crucial to their plans.
The 25-year-old has become a key player under Daniel Farke and has started 25 of their 28 Premier League games so far this season as the captain.
However, his contract is set to expire in 2027, leading to concerns about Ampadu's long-term future ahead of the summer transfer window when he will enter the final year.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds are keen to deter speculation about his future and have no plans to let him leave.
As a result, they are expected to open contract talks if they can secure their Premier League survival as they remain on course to do as things stand.
Leeds United determined to keep Ethan Ampadu
Football Insider revealed last summer that Ampadu was seen as a key player for Leeds as they assessed their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.
The Wales international has backed up the club's faith in his abilities with a string of consistent performances, and is believed to be keen to remain at Elland Road.
"Ampadu has been such an important player for Leeds," Brown told Football Insider.
"He's the type of player who is going to give you a seven or eight out of ten performance every single week, and that's exactly what you need as a team like Leeds.
"You need consistency and reliability and he gives them both of those things, as well as his leadership which has also been massively important.
"I think they will be doing everything they can to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
"The situation with his contract might be a concern, of course, because it's never good to see a key player heading into the final year of their deal.
"But I think they'll make efforts to tie him down to a new deal before the end of the season, especially if they stay up, and I can see him being happy to stay."
Leeds make summer transfer plan after Anton Stach reveal
Ampadu is not the only Leeds star who has impressed since their return to the Premier League, leading to increased speculation about a number of key players.
Anton Stach is among those to have attracted interest from top clubs in England and across Europe, having stepped up as part of Farke's midfield this season.
Brown told Football Insider on 23 February that Leeds have no plans to let Stach leave and are working hard to keep their best players at Elland Road.
Farke views Stach as a key part of his plans both immediately and for the future and will not entertain the idea of losing him this summer.
Leeds have enjoyed a successful return to England's top flight and are determined to keep their place and build on this season by adding new players, not losing key ones.