Exclusive: Big earner 'wants to leave' Leeds after confirmed news

Patrick Bamford is keen to leave Leeds United at the end of the season given his reduced role in Daniel Farke’s plans for the future.

This is according to former Man United, Sunderland and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 31-year-old feels his time at Elland Road has come to an end.

That came following the reveal that he had considered leaving Leeds upon their relegation from the Premier League in 2023 but had a late change of heart.

However, the striker has fallen further down the pecking order up front, and is no longer seen as a key part of Farke’s plans for the squad.

Bamford came off the bench to replace Joel Piroe in the 92nd minute of their 2-0 win against Sheffield United, with the Dutchman chosen to start while Mateo Joseph’s introduction earlier in the game saw him score the second goal.

This was the big-earning striker’s fifth appearance of the season, although he has averaged just 26 minutes per game and has failed to find the net so far.

After six years at the club since joining from Middlesbrough in 2018, Brown has claimed the striker is keen on a change of location and an increase in game time.

However, he warned that an exit from Elland Road would likely see the striker step down in terms of the stature and level of teams interested.

Patrick Bamford looking for Leeds United exit after latest news

Bamford’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2026, and there is a feeling that Leeds could look to cash in at the end of this season rather than see him leave for free.

Brown, who worked closely with players at the top level including a spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s number two at Old Trafford, insisted that the striker is now keen on a change of location.

“I’ve heard he wants to leave,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s been there for a while now so a change of location might be tempting him to move and, if he’s not playing regularly, I can see him looking for a way out.

“Being on the bench every week will be frustrating for him because he’ll be used to being a regular starter in that team.

“I can see Leeds being keen to move him on as well, because his record isn’t very good.

“He’s had injuries in the last couple of years as well.

“Leeds want to get promotion and they want to be a Premier League side. He doesn’t fit that bill because he’s been there before and not done it.

“I think it’s time for him to move on, and for Leeds to move him on.

“But that move won’t be upwards, it’ll be downwards. For me, he’s been an underachiever in his career.

“If he does get that move away, though, I’d expect it to be at the end of the season rather than in January because he’ll still have a role to play for them for now.“

In other news, Daniel Farke has given the green light to sign a free agent.

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The post Exclusive: Big earner 'wants to leave' Leeds after confirmed news appeared first on Football Insider.