According to Phil Hay’s recent feature for The Athletic, Leeds United captain Liam Cooper turned down a hefty £40,000-a-week after-tax deal from Robbie Fowler’s Saudi Arabian team Al-Qadsiah.
Cooper, 32, is nearing the end of his contract with Leeds. It could be his final season with Leeds, nine years after coming from Chesterfield. He was a part of Massimo Cellino’s first summer.
This season has already been a roller coaster ride for our captain. A goal in our first game came at a cost, as he had an injury that sidelined him for several weeks. He’s back in shape, but he’s lost his starting spot.
It may have turned out very differently. Al Qadsiah had already signed Joel Robles on a free transfer, with Fowler in charge of the Saudi second-tier club. They proposed bringing Cooper to the Middle East.
A two-year contract for £2 million after tax. According to Hay, it amounted to about £40,000 per week net. However, Hay writes that he turned down a chance to join Fowler’s new team just days before the opening against Cardiff.
Leeds captain Cooper turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia.
Indeed, it is believed that Cooper wanted a 12-month contract extension, but injury occurred and nothing has been proven since. So, will Cooper sign a new contract? Now only time will tell.
Pascal Struijk has been outstanding, and Joe Rodon has joined on loan from Tottenham. Charlie Cresswell has signed a new contract and is regarded as the future of Leeds United‘s defence.
So there are things to look forward to from Cooper‘s team – and Leeds. Cooper’s contract might expire at the end of the season, when he is representing Scotland at Euro 2024 – after they have qualified.
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