Noel Whelan hammers Leeds board for failing to agree terms with 26-year-old

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Noel Whelan has blasted Leeds United’s board on BBC Radio Leeds for letting Kemar Roofe’s contract enter the striker’s final 12 months, which has seen Rangers become reportedly interested.

Roofe finished at the top of the club’s goalscoring rankings last season, finding the back of the net 15 times despite suffering calf and knee injuries that kept him sidelined for a total of 13 league games.

With Leeds now in danger of seeing Roofe leave Elland Road next summer for nothing, Rangers are keen on bringing the striker in before the end of this window’s deadline. The Scottish Sun claim Rangers fancy Roofe for £5million.

Former Leeds striker Whelan has blasted owner Andrea Radrizzani and the likes of Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear for not tying Roofe down to a deal last season – claiming they could lose Roofe for half of his value.

“He can agree terms with a new club in January as a free agent,” Whelan said. “You’re talking about running a business here. It is about keeping assets, and a contract should have been placed in front of Roofe.

“It should have been signed last season, maybe January when we could see that he was doing well. You cannot allow a striker, who has been your top scorer, to run down to the final year on their contract.

“That’s not good work by the football club. Now they’re under pressure to cash in on Roofe for £5million, when really he is probably worth £10million. You’re losing a striker and money, because you’ve let the contract run down.”

TBR’s view – Whelan bang on about Leeds star Roofe

Roofe is crucial for Leeds. Not only did he find the back of the net 15 times last season, but he also offers enormous versatility – able to play up front, out wide and in central midfield.

He is the perfect kind of player for Marcelo Bielsa. So Whelan is very correct in blaming the Leeds board for failing to tie down Roofe to a contract prior to this summer, which puts his future now very much in doubt.

The lure of European football and the temptation of playing under a Liverpool and England legend in Steven Gerrard will surely be considered by Roofe – and Whelan’s frustration will be shared by many Leeds fans.