Leeds United hero Luke Ayling has admitted that it was an “easy decision” for him to leave Elland Road this summer to join Middlesbrough on a permanent deal. 

The defender spent eight years at Leeds and was one of the main stars that helped them gain promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.

However, the veteran star fell out of favour with Daniel Farke this season and departed the Yorkshire club to join Middlesbrough on loan. Ayling has now completed a permanent move to the Championship team and has stated that it was an easy decision for him given his position at Leeds and the experience he had with Boro this season.

Ayling told Middlesbrough’s website: “I had a great four months so re-signing was a pretty straightforward decision. It’s been done for a while so I’m happy we can finally announce it. An easy decision to make.

“I’m sure there will have been other teams interested, but, with how the team was playing and what I feel we can do next year, that’s why I’ve signed on. I’m really excited about what we can achieve next year.”

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Luke Ayling will not be the only player leaving Leeds United this summer

Losing Sunday’s Championship play-off final was a huge blow to Leeds as it will mean that the Yorkshire club will need to sell several stars this summer. The Whites are believed to owe £190m in player transfers to other clubs, after splashing cash on a number of new stars in the summer of 2022.

Ayling was one of the easier names to sell, but fans of the club will not want to see them part ways with the likes of Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville. That is now the Whites’ reality as many clubs will have their eye on Elland Road to try and take some of their key men.

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Leeds United player Luke Ayling has hinted that his future lies away from the club.

The defender was a vital part of the Whites squad throughout the first half of the season and assisted the team in overcoming a difficult start to the season.

The defender joined Middlesbrough on loan in January and it seems like he is adamant at extending his stay there.

After their failure to get promoted, a number of Leeds United players face an uncertain future at the club.

Crysencio Summerville, Dan James and Wilfried Gnonto are all expected to leave the club as the Championship club aims to raise funds after losing out on a big amount due to their failure to return to the Premier League.

In order to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules, Leeds United are expected to generate funds through sales this summer.

When questioned about his future by TalkSPORT before to the Championship final, the defender—whose contract with Leeds expires on June 30—said there will be news on Monday and made a suggestion that he may be leaving.

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“I loved playing for the gaffer, the boys in the dressing room were great. There’s news coming tomorrow and I think it will be good news,” Ayling said, amid Leeds exit reports.

Leeds United are set to lose a number of players

The 32-year-old Ayling has made 19 appearances for Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough since joining the team.

He has contributed eight assists from right-back while maintaining a strong defensive game.

Leeds United are going to miss his experience at the club and he would be a valuable addition as a free agent for Middlesbrough.

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According to The Telegraph, Luke Ayling will leave Leeds United at the end of this season and join Middlesbrough on a permanent deal.

Ayling spent the last season on loan in the Championship with Michael Carrick’s side, where he impressed by scoring one goal and providing nine assists.

With his contract at Elland Road set to expire this summer, Ayling has decided not to renew, making a return to the Riverside Stadium increasingly likely.

The defender had attracted interest from newly relegated Sheffield United but chose to agree to a permanent deal with Middlesbrough instead.

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Luke Ayling leaves Leeds United as a club legend

Ayling joined Leeds United in 2016 from Bristol City and quickly established himself as a key player.

Known for his versatility and consistency, Ayling primarily operates as a right-back but has also been deployed in central defence and midfield.

He played a crucial role in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League during the 2019-2020 season under Marcelo Bielsa.

After eight years at the club, Ayling spent the last season on loan following Leeds’ relegation.

His performances for Middlesbrough have earned him a permanent move, allowing him to continue his career in the Championship.

Ayling’s departure marks the end of an era for Leeds United, where he leaves as a fan favourite and a club legend.

His contributions to the team, both on and off the field, will be remembered fondly by the Leeds faithful as he embarks on a new chapter with Middlesbrough.

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Leeds United star Luke Ayling will leave Elland Road this summer but the defender will not be making a move to Sheffield United amid interest from the Premier League club. 

The 32-year-old is set to put an end to his time at the Yorkshire club as his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. The defender leaves having played 268 games for the Whites across an eight-year stint and was a big part of their return to the Premier League in 2020.

Daniel Farke’s side are close to returning to England’s top flight having reached the Championship play-off final but Ayling will not be with them this time around.

The right-back spent this season on loan with Middlesbrough and it is believed that he will remain with the Championship club for the 2024/25 campaign as they will move to sign him permanently. Michael Carrick’s team will likely be promotion contenders next season and the Boro coach believes the Leeds man can aid their push.

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Luke Ayling rejects Premier League club for Middlesbrough move

According to The Telegraph, Sheffield United showed interest in Ayling ahead of the summer transfer window as Chris Wilder was keen on signing the defender. However, the 32-year-old has opted to stay on at Middlesbrough.

Had the Premier League side remained in the division they would have had a better chance of luring the Leeds man away from the Riverside but instead the two teams will compete in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign.

Many Leeds fans will be sad to see Ayling leave the club but they will also be aware that it is for the best.

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Leeds United’s Championship season still isn’t over, with a vital Play-Off semi-final second leg against Norwich City to come on Thursday, followed hopefully by a final appearance at Wembley against either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion.

Daniel Farke’s team need full focus on the job in hand in order to reach the promised land of the Premier League at the first time of asking, after dropping out of the English top-flight this time last year.

Sheffield United want Luke Ayling

One team that made the reverse journey 12 months ago and were promoted alongside Luton Town and Burnley were Sheffield United.

It’s the Blades who apparently are making moves to sign Leeds stalwart, Luke Ayling.

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According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon via his Patreon page, United, alongside Middlesbrough, where Ayling has spent the last six months on loan, want to take advantage of the player’s contract at Leeds coming to an end on June 30.

At that point he will be a free agent and looking for gainful employment elsewhere, so the interest from both clubs is likely to be welcomed.

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Leeds United star has suggested he might have played his last game for the club.

The Championship club lost four of their final seven games of the season after looking like firm favourites for automatic promotion.

The Whites slipped out of the top two in the last few weeks of the season with Leicester City and Ipswich Town securing promotion to the Premier League.

Now, Leeds have received another major blow after one of their longest servants has reportedly decided to leave the club.

Leeds defender Luke Ayling is likely to clinch a permanent deal with Middlesbrough this summer.

In an attempt to strengthen their defensive unit, Middlesbrough pounced to sign the full-back on loan during the January transfer window.

However, his future is still uncertain, as he is scheduled to return to Elland Road.

The 32-year-old Ayling’s contract with the Whites expires at the end of the next month, and as he hasn’t signed a contract extension with the promotion-chasing team, he will become a free agent.

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When asked about his future, he told MOT Leeds News:

“I think things are close and I’m excited for what the future holds”, he explained.

“I can’t say it’s done yet so [I] can’t say too much, but the last four months I’ve loved being part of it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

In order to position themselves for another Championship season, Middlesbrough would be wise to land Ayling.

With his extensive experience in the Football League, he gives Michael Carrick further competitiveness and depth within his squad.

Leeds United would miss Luke Ayling

With 286 appearances throughout all competitions, the right-back has 11 goals for Leeds.

But now that he’s had less playing time at Elland Road, Middlesbrough were able to sign him this past winter.

Leeds fans are going to miss him after his departure from the club.

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Chris Wilder is reportedly keen on signing Leeds United’s Luke Ayling after his contract runs down at the end of the season.

Daniel Farke’s side is just two points behind second-place Ipswich Town with just three games left as they chase that final automatic promotion spot.

A major reason for their success so far in this campaign has been their solid backline which has been responsible for the best defensive record in the Championship.

With the German manager set on his current back four, this has pushed club legend Ayling to the fringes of the squad with the 32-year-old currently on loan at Middlesbrough.

The versatile defender can play across the back four and with his contract set to expire in the summer, could be an excellent option for another side.

Chris Wilder keen on Leeds’ Luke Ayling

According to reports from the Sun, Sheffield United’s Wilder is lining up a move for the 32-year-old as he looks to build his squad up for next season.

The Blades are currently rock bottom of the Premier League table and barring some miracle, will be related back down to the Championship

Sheffield United’s next two Premier League games are away trips to Manchester United before travelling to Newcastle just three days later.

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Leeds United are set to let duo’s contract expire this summer after already making a decision over Luke Ayling.

Leeds have bid an emotional farewell to Luke Ayling as he embarks on the final months of his Whites deal, currently on loan at fellow Championship club Middlesbrough. However, other key players like promotion heroes Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas also face impending contract expirations, alongside several others.

Football Insider now reports that the club are poised to bid farewell to both Sam Byram and Dallas in the summer when their contracts expire.

Leeds United players that could depart Elland Road this summer

Among the 10 players potentially leaving, these two stand out, boasting a combined 440 appearances for the club. Dallas hasn’t played since suffering a femoral fracture in April 2022, while Byram secured a one-year deal after impressing his former Norwich City manager, Daniel Farke, during pre-season with the Whites.

Another player that is confirmed as leaving is German defender Robin Koch, who is currently on loan in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt.

Meanwhile, Ian Poveda, who has enjoyed his time on his loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday, is likely to leave the club if the Yorkshire achieve promotion back to the Premier League.

Club legend Liam Cooper, having made 282 appearances for the Yorkshire side, may be another player that departs Elland Road this summer.

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The 2023/24 Championship season is shaping up nicely for Leeds United, with Daniel Farke’s side seemingly timing their run to the top of the table just right.

Currently in second place, the all whites are now only three points behind Leicester City, who at one stage of the campaign were a gargantuan 11 points ahead of them.

Whether the German will manage to get his side promoted automatically or through the Play-Offs will only be seen later in the campaign, and a promotion will largely dictate the club’s transfer policy.

Middlesbrough could sign Luke Ayling permanently

One player that could conceivably be considered an Elland Road legend is Luke Ayling, who signed for Championship rivals Middlesbrough on loan earlier in the season.

He’d surely be desperate to pit his wits against the Premier League’s best, but it seems that a more permanent stay on Teeside could be on the cards.

“You’re always playing for something and as it stands at the moment that’s obviously what’s next,” Boro manager, Michael Carrick, was quoted as saying by Teeside Live.

“Looking at him, that’s not at the forefront of his mind at all. He’s all in, he’s desperate to do well and win games for us. We’ll see. That will play out how it’s going to play out over the next few months.”

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At 32 years of age, Ayling is getting no younger, and there’s no room for passengers nowadays in the English top-flight, as the likes of last season’s promoted clubs – Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley – are all finding out this year.

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The January transfer window appeared to work out well enough for Leeds, who clearly didn’t want any squad issues derailing their chances of making it to the automatic promotion spots.

Daniel Farke was believed to have told the club that he didn’t want any of his players cherry picked, and fortunately that ended up being the case.

It means the German can now plan ahead with a full complement of focused and energised players, as they go hunting down the teams above them.

One player that was the subject of interest elsewhere was Liam Cooper, and a decision to hold him to the final six months of his contract appears to be a little harsh.

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“Farke told the club that their main task for January was to prevent any cherry-picking, which they did,’ Phil Hay wrote in The Athletic (subscription required).

“In the further reaches of the squad, interest developed in club captain Liam Cooper, including an in-division approach from Blackburn Rovers last week, but in contrast to Ayling, Leeds made it clear to Cooper that they expected him to see out the last six months of his contract.

“Cooper, 32, does not anticipate an extension but will see his 10th season at Elland Road through to the end.”

What it does demonstrate is the seriousness with which Farke takes his responsibilities, and the club’s willingness to stand behind their manager to give him the best opportunity to get them promotion.

From Cooper’s perspective, it seems almost certain that he will leave the club in June, and whilst he may harbour a little resentment at not getting a move to Blackburn, if he ends up helping to win promotion for the all whites, it could more than make up for it.

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