£70k-p/w waste, academy star: 6 Leeds players in danger of Elland Road axe

Leeds United are on course to return to the Premier League under Daniel Farke at the second time of asking.

The Whites, who lost in the Championship play-off final to Southampton at Wembley last year, are looking to avoid that route this time around with a top-two finish to secure automatic promotion.

Farke’s side have been in impressive form at Elland Road, with their home being a fortress all season, while picking up vital wins on the road.

Should they go on to achieve promotion, Leeds, Farke and the 49ers Enterprises will have plenty to think about in the summer ahead of a Premier League campaign.

As well as looking to make a number of high-quality signings, a plethora of players could leave West Yorkshire. But who is in danger of receiving the Elland Road axe in 2025? Here, we’ve taken a look at six potential Leeds casualties in the event of promotion.

1

Patrick Bamford

At Leeds since: 2018

Striker Patrick Bamford is the longest-serving member of the current Leeds squad, and one of the last remaining members of the Championship title winners under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020.

The 31-year-old is also the club’s highest earner at £70,000 a week, but he has struggled with various injuries in recent times. Bamford was even linked with a surprise move to Wrexham at the beginning of 2025 but remained at Elland Road, where he is under contract until 2026.

He signed his current Leeds contract after a brilliant Premier League campaign in 2020/21, where he scored 17 goals and earned an England call-up.

However, with Bamford not a regular under Farke and earning a huge salary, it wouldn’t be a shock if he was moved on in the summer, regardless of whether Leeds are a Premier League side.

2

Junior Firpo

At Leeds since: 2021

Full-back Junior Firpo was a marquee signing from Barcelona back in 2021, but he failed to star in the Premier League and suffered with a number of injury issues while the Whites were in the top flight.

Surprisingly, the Dominican Republic international, on £60,000 a week, remained at the club following their relegation in 2023 and has since impressed in the Championship under Farke.

Firpo has remained fit on the whole and has been first-choice, registering a number of assists from left-back. However, the 28-year-old is currently out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 season and there have been no signs of an extension.

He has even been linked with a return to Spain with former side Real Betis, so Firpo’s future will certainly be one to watch.

3

Illan Meslier

At Leeds since: 2020

Signed back in 2020 from Lorient, Illan Meslier became Leeds’ first-choice goalkeeper under Bielsa back in 2020 and has been ever since.

Making over 200 appearances for the club and saving 377 shots in the Premier League, you’d think there would be no reason for Meslier, still just 24 years of age, to keep his place in the Leeds side.

However, the Frenchman has made a number of errors in the Whites goal in the Championship, including a nightmare mistake at Sunderland and a horror show at Hull City which cost Leeds points.

Farke has stuck with Meslier in the second tier, but he may not be so forgiving in the top flight.

4

Josuha Guilavogui

At Leeds since: 2024

Versatile and experienced midfielder Josuha Guilavogui was signed on an emergency free transfer in October 2024 following injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev.

The 34-year-old, who can also provide cover at centre-back when needed, has been a regular in Farke’s matchday squads. However, with Ampadu and Gruev back alongside Ao Tanaka and loanee Joe Rothwell, Guilavogui is finding minutes hard to come by.

He’s only under contract in Yorkshire until the end of the 2024/25 season, so he could be another who moves on in the summer, especially as Paris FC seem to have their eyes on his services.

5

Max Wober

At Leeds since: 2023

Defender Max Wober was one of a number of players who exercised their relegation release clause back in 2023 following Leeds’ drop to the Championship.

The Austria international spent the 2023/24 season with Borussia Monchengladbach, but failed to earn a permanent move to the Bundesliga side. He was kept around by Farke for the 2024/25 season, but seems to be Leeds’ fourth-choice centre-back behind Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Ampadu.

Therefore, the 27-year-old, who is under contract in West Yorkshire until 2027, could be sold by the 49ers.

6

Sam Byram

At Leeds since: 2023

Academy graduate Sam Byram returned to Leeds in 2023, seven and a half years after leaving Elland Road.

The full-back, who had permanent stints with West Ham and Norwich City, knew Farke from his time at Carrow Road and his addition has been a shrewd one in the Championship.

Byram has provided adequate cover for the likes of Firpo and Jayden Bogle at left or right-back, though his current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025.

A proven Championship defender, Byram has made just 59 appearances in the Premier League and is arguably heading past his prime at the age of 31, so Leeds may feel the need for a potential upgrade.