Luke Ayling signed a contract to play on loan at Middlesbrough for the last six months of his Leeds United contract, thereby ending the player’s time with the Tigers in January. Now, he has reached an agreement with them.

Leeds is just one game away from returning to the Premier League, which would relieve a great deal of pressure off the 49ers as they prepare for a hectic summer.

Luke Ayling and a few other players have confirmed departures due to their expiring contracts, but the club still needs to address loan players and their possible permanent deals.

Luke Ayling agrees Middlesbrough permanent contract this week

According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, right-back Ayling and loan team Middlesbrough have reached an agreement on a long-term deal.

The 32-year-old played the second part of the season on Teesside, where he showed off his skills as a raiding wing-back and reached his best point total of eight assists in the first half of the season.

Michael Carrick will now sign the Leeds player as his first summer signing on a free transfer, given his Leeds contract is about to expire.

The good work of former Manchester United midfielder Carrick has been furthered by the announcement that he has agreed to a new deal.

Under Carrick, he has grown to be a favourite at Middlesbrough thanks to his play, to the point where the Riverside is prioritising a long-term contract.

Ayling brings a championship winners’ medal, 268 appearances, 11 goals, and 21 assists with him when he departs Elland Road.

Ayling deserves a Boro permanent deal this week

It appeared that Ayling had lost his legs and that he would have to go when it came to going on loan.

Under the guidance of an excellent coach who understands how to bring out the best in him, he moved to Middlesbrough, and the move has paid off.

Because of this, he needs to sign a new contract there, as the manager and supporters obviously adore him.

 

In a related develpoment:

Viktor Johansson is scheduled for a physical with Stoke City before to a £1 million move, therefore it appears Leeds United will lose out on him.

Leeds was reportedly one of the teams interested in the Swedish stopper, according to a report from Sportbladet on May 2.

Now that John Percy has revealed (17 May) that he is expected to join for Stoke, it seems their search has been in vain.

The Potters reportedly invoked his contract’s release clause when Rotherham was demoted, and as a result, his physical is scheduled for this Friday.

Regardless of their division before the next season, Leeds may have made a wise commercial decision with this.

Leeds United to miss out on Viktor Johansson

Johansson may have been a great addition for the Whites this summer, considering he was rumoured to be available for just £1 million.

Getting a top player for a low cost may have been wise given Daniel Farke’s team’s potential financial difficulties.

The Swede was up there with the finest goalkeepers in the league and stood out in a struggling team, especially considering how awful Rotherham was this season.

Throughout the campaign, he maintained a save percentage of 67.9 while making an average of 4.09 saves per 90 shots, a figure influenced by the quantity of shots he faced [FotMob].

Despite only maintaining five clean sheets during the season, he avoided 3.19 goals, ranking among the best in the competition.

Given that he has played sweeper 38 times and made 60 high claims during the season, he is a keeper for the modern day.

It wouldn’t hurt the Frenchman to have some competitive opposition, even though Ilian Meslier has had an incredible season.

Karl Darlow may be seeking for a move away from Elland Road, since he has only made two appearances this season [FotMob].

Johansson, whether playing in the Championship or Premier League, would have been a fantastic alternative and someone to push Meslier all through the season.