Leeds United defender Liam Cooper was being targeted by Saudi club Al Qadsiah in the summer transfer window, but the deal didn’t materialize, as per The Athletic.
The 32-year-old is one of the longest-serving players at the club. The Whites skipper was playing regularly in the pre-season but then in July, his future came under doubt when the Saudi club came up with a lucrative offer.
Cooper has a contract at Elland Road until the end of the season and he is yet to sign a new deal at the club. Al Qadsiah are directly below the Saudi Pro-league clubs but they are equally wealthy.
Phil Hay claims that the cash-rich club, managed by Robbie Fowler, offered £2 million a year net on a two-year contract, the equivalent of almost £40,000 a week, tax-free, to Cooper. However, they didn’t make a formal offer to Leeds in the end.
Cooper rejected the approach from the Middle East and urged the club to offer him a one-year contract extension until 2025 instead.
Big decision for Leeds
It hasn’t been an easy ride for Cooper at Leeds, but he has gained his respect through hard work and consistency. This is his 10th season at the club and he is 29 appearances short of 300. But doubts remain whether Leeds will offer him a new deal in a few months’ time.
Injuries are one of the major reasons why the Whites could be reluctant to offer him an extension, while the club may look to find his long-term successor.
The Yorkshire club also need to make decisions on the other two senior players – Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas – both have contracts until 2024.
The three players combined cost Leeds around £2m only and have played more than 800 times. Leeds are fifth in the table with 19 points, 11 points behind Leicester City.
