Whelan tips Leeds to open Bamford talks after journalist’s secret reveal
Noel Whelan is adamant Leeds United will open contract talks with Patrick Bamford this summer even though it is reported his current deal is not due to expire until 2023.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Whites and Coventry forward said the 27-year-old “deserves” to be rewarded for his “incredible” performances this season.
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein revealed on Monday that Leeds secretly extended the centre-forward’s contract last summer, meaning he is actually under contract at Elland Road beyond June 2022.
Football Insider understands the club are set to open talks with Bamford over a blockbuster new contract following a sensational Premier League campaign.
He has contributed 15 goals and seven assists in 35 appearances to date.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of Bamford’s contract situation, Whelan said: “When you hit 15 goals in the league you have to start talking to players.
“Let’s be honest, 2023 will come around very quickly and the club need to give him the contract that he deserves. It is rightly so that he gets rewarded.
“I’m sure it will be talked about at the end of the season and if it’s not I would be very surprised.
“He has been unbelievable all season. He has been leading the line on his own and has been pretty much ever-present as well, which is an achievement in itself. It has been an incredible season for him, it really has.”
In other news, Noel Whelan tips Leeds player with just three starts in 2021 to be ‘brilliant’ next season after what he’s seen.