Leeds United must be ruthless with Pascal Struijk as contract stalemate clouds overhaul

Leeds United can't keep waiting for Pascal Struijk to commit his future at Elland Road ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

The Dutch national's future will have a bearing on the Whites' plans at centre-back in the summer.

The Athletic reports that while the West Yorkshire outfit don’t want to lose their left-footed defender, he could be on his way out if he doesn’t sign a new contract.

Struijk’s situation at Elland Road is surely one to keep an eye on and the Peacocks should be ruthless in their demands from the defender.

As things stand, the 26-year-old’s current deal in LS11 expires in 2027 and it wouldn’t make sense to lose him for free at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.

Pascal Struijk in watershed moment at Leeds United

Struijk can’t expect Leeds to worry about his future late into the transfer window.

If the centre-back wants to leave, he should make that clear soon so the Whites can start planning for a future without him.

It wouldn’t be fair for the Dutchman to leave the West Yorkshire outfit scrambling for his replacement after the new season starts.

While the 2026 World Cup may affect what business the Peacocks can pull off in the summer, Struijk’s decision will make things clear for Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises going into pre-season.

Daniel Farke has several contract priorities at Elland Road

Football Insider understands that Leeds want Braga shot-stopper Lukas Hornicek as a potential option to bolster their goalkeeping department.

Karl Darlow will be a free agent soon unless he signs a new deal at Elland Road and the Whites have an immediate priority with him.

The Whites should also focus on what they want to do with Ilia Gruev, Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha, who are in the same boat as Struijk contract-wise.

Farke wants to build a successful project at the West Yorkshire outfit, but he won’t be able to do that if he continues to lose his best players at Elland Road.

Sorting out Struijk's future should be at the top of the 49ers’ agenda as a massive summer beckons in LS11 that could determine the club’s future.