Patrick Bamford confirms His Decision On Loan Matters

Luke Ayling joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season earlier this month after seven and a half years at Elland Road – and Patrick Bamford confirmed he is not returning to Leeds United.

Ayling, 32, has gone on loan to Michael Carrick’s side until the end of the season. But, it comes with a caveat. Ayling’s Leeds deal is due to expire in June 2024. It means he will leave on a free in the summer.

Ayling is one of a number of Leeds players out of contract in the summer. Stuart Dallas, Liam Cooper, Cody Drameh, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram are also in the final months of their Elland Road deals.

But given Ayling has entered the final few months of his contract and gone on loan, it is very unlikely he will be extending his contract at Elland Road. It is of course, possible. But even Ayling said it is unlikely.

Speaking on the latest episode of his My Mate’s A Footballer podcast, Bamford said that Ayling will not be returning to Leeds and he will not be signing a new contract. He confirms Ayling has left “forever”.

“It is a loan but when he left, he only had six months left on his Leeds contract. So technically, it is a loan but it is forever. He’s not coming back to Leeds,” Bamford responded, when discussing the right-back.

Patrick Bamford confirms Luke Ayling is not returning to Leeds

While Bamford’s comments may not come as news, it is the fact that he says it with such confidence – that Ayling will not play for Leeds again. It is more than likely that he joins Middlesbrough permanently.

One of Bamford’s former clubs, in fact. Ayling being on loan means that he will not be allowed to play against Leeds when the two sides meet at The Riverside on April 20. But beyond that, he could face us.