Leeds United should hopefully have simple Sam Byram call to make in 2025: View | OneFootball

The 31-year-old's contract is due to expire this summer after joining the Whites for the second time in 2023.

Leeds United came into the Championship campaign expecting to fight for promotion, and despite a slightly sticky start, Daniel Farke's side are slowly starting to point in the right direction.

Supporters had been hoping for an instantaneous return to the Premier League following relegation from the Premier League in 2023, but they were made to wait after a 1-0 loss to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley back in May.

In a summer that saw plenty of change at Elland Road, they sold three of their star players from last season, with Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all making the switch to the top flight in big money moves.

It has meant that fans have had to be patient with the team, but new signings Ao Tanaka, Largie Ramazani and Jayden Bogle are showing promising signs.

The latter of that trio has seen out early competition for the right-back position from Sam Byram, whose contract is due to expire at the end of 2024/25, a decision that could be swayed by Leeds' performance in the league.

Byram contract call is an easy one if promotion is secured

Although the season is still new, an early prediction can be made on the 31-year-old's contract situation, with his involvement in the starting XI looking like it will be extremely limited over the course of the next eight months.

Byram did play a fairly large role last season after re-joining Leeds from Norwich City, after five years away from the club. He made 33 appearances in the Championship, including 24 starts, filling in at both left and right-back.

However, if the opening month and a half of the 2024/25 campaign is anything to go by, he will not be as important to the squad as he was in the past.

Junior Firpo is a favourite of Farke at left-back, and Bogle has huge potential, despite an awkward year at Sheffield United in the Premier League.

If Leeds manage to win promotion at the end of this season, then it seems extremely unlikely that Byram will be offered a new contract, as Farke, if he is still the manager then, will be looking to make upgrades across the pitch.

A solid Championship player, the full-back has always struggled with the step-up to the next level at both Norwich and West Ham United. It would be more beneficial to his own career if he looks to move on at the end of his deal.

Other Championship clubs will be eyeing Byram up

Although he does not seem to be in the immediate plans at Elland Road, Byram will provide solace if Bogle finds himself injured at any point this season.

However, he will probably know that this is more than likely his final year at the club, but he is still a player capable of playing in the second tier.

Clubs in and around mid-table will take an interest in his situation, as his experience could be key for the future, and he could be an excellent free transfer for a lot of clubs in the division.

Byram has made nearly 200 appearances in the Championship since coming through the ranks at Leeds in 2012, and he will be hoping that if the Whites are promoted, it will not be the end of his journey at this level.

Nevertheless, it seems as though the writing is on the wall if, this time next year, the Yorkshire club are back in the Premier League.