Speaking recently on a video posted on the Leeds United Live Facebook page, Beren Cross claimed that Leeds are desperate to tie Ezgjan Alioski down to a new deal as quickly as possible.
Since moving to Leeds from FC Lugano in what was a £2.25 million deal back in 2017, Alioski has gone on to feature 142 times for the club, chipping in with 20 goals and providing 16 assists along the way.
So far this season, the £3.15 million-rated 28-year-old has made eight Premier League appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, over which the versatile midfielder has been deployed at left-back, left-midfield and centre-midfield while averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.55/10 – ranking him as the club’s 12th-best performer in the league.
Despite his rather average level of performance for the side this season, it has been recently reported that the club have offered Alioski a new deal at Elland Road, with the North Macedonian’s current contract set to expire at the end of this season.
This was one subject of discussion on a recent video posted by Leeds United Live on Facebook, in which Cross claimed that the club will be desperate for the 28-year-old to sign the new deal as quickly as possible.
He said: “Alioski’s a deal they’ll want to get tied up and get Alioski’s contract sorted because, of course, the closer he gets to expiry, the more he can start talking to other clubs.”
Do you think Alioski deserves a new contract at Leeds?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Beren Cross’ comments regarding Ezgjan Alioski…
From Cross’ comments, it is clear that the journalist believes that the club do not want to lose Alioski on a free transfer at the end of the season and that they hope he signs a new deal very shortly, to minimise the risk of another side offering the 28-year-old a potentially more tempting offer.
And, despite his average displays so far this season, a player with the versatility of Alioski will always be useful to have in a squad, even if he is not a headline-grabbing type of player – as demonstrated by his no goals and no assist this season.
Therefore, you would think it would certainly be in the best interests for Leeds to tie Alioski down to a new deal.