Patrick Bamford faces a very uncertain summer at Leeds United, especially so after the recent signing of Lukas Nmecha.
Patrick Bamford has been with Leeds United since 2018, making him the club’s longest-serving player. In that time he’s made 205 total appearances for the club, scoring 65 goals and winning promotion twice.
Last season though was certainly difficult for the 31-year-old. Bamford failed to start a single league match and failed to score in the Championship too, and now with just a year left on his contract, this summer could be Bamford’s final at Elland Road.
Throughout the year, Bamford has been linked with a move away from Leeds United with Genoa and Wrexham among those to have been linked.
But it then looked like Bamford might be kept around after it was revealed that Mateo Joseph could move to Real Betis in a £8.5million deal this summer. Soon after that, though, Leeds United confirmed the signing of Lukas Nmecha.
Patrick Bamford’s Leeds United future is in his own hands
For Bamford, Nmecha signing might put him right back at square one. Already this summer, Bamford has said he’s better-suited to the Premier League, and he has provided the goods in the top flight before, though whether he’s at the level that Daniel Farke wants from his players next season remains to be seen.
In fact, Farke is ready to let Bamford make his own decision about whether or not he leaves. Speaking to Leeds United News, our chief transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has revealed whether or not Nmecha’s arrival in West Yorkshire spells the end for Bamford at the club.
Bailey explained: “I think it depends. They will be having these types of conversations now. Especially with Bamford, they will be telling him he will be fourth-choice next season and then it is up to him if he wants to stay.”
Patrick Bamford has already hinted at where he could move to in the future
Bailey’s comments suggest that Farke is happy to have Bamford around for next season, but that he can’t guarantee the striker any real game time.
For Bamford then, it could be in his best interests to move on. He’s still got plenty to offer and if he can get a full pre-season under his belt then he could start the 2025/26 in form if he’s playing regular football.
The answer could well lie Stateside. Earlier in the summer, Bamford revealed he wants to play in the MLS one day, saying: “It is something that I would be open to yeah, we [Bamford and his family] just don’t know when yet.”
It depends on whether offers come in, of course, but if Bamford were to offer himself about the MLS then he’d surely find a home, and it could be a home where he proves prolific for many years to come.
