"Nothing wrong" - Alan Smith issues claim on Patrick Bamford's Leeds United future | OneFootball

The former Leeds United and Man Utd man shares his thoughts on Patrick Bamford's future.

There has been intense speculation around Patrick Bamford's Leeds United future, with a summer exit from Elland Road a realistic proposition.

The 31-year-old is approaching his seventh anniversary at the club but has faced a trying season in Yorkshire, making just 11 appearances - all of them from the bench.

Bamford is reportedly the club's highest earner at £70,000-per-week, according to Capology, and will enter the final year of his contract in June.

Smith says Bamford will have final say on Leeds future

When asked about whether he expected Bamford to leave Elland Road this summer, ex-Leeds and Manchester United man Alan Smith suggested the forward would decide his own fate.

"I think I said this about Harry Maguire previously, and that if I was a coach I would want to keep him, but that he would determine his own decision," said Smith, speaking exclusively to Football League World via Goplay Wille P.

"There’s nothing wrong with keeping Patrick Bamford if he feels as though he can play sporadically and help the teams at times.

"We aren’t going to be dominating teams, it will be backs against walls and going back to front early – do you need a target man to get hold of it? He’s done that previously in the Premier League.

"He might not have the pace to get in behind anymore, but he has the experience and that is vital.

"If he and the manager feel that he still has a lot to offer, we only see the Saturdays, but if he’s helping players with his experience, then only Patrick and the manager will know that.

"Maybe he’s happy playing a bit part role in the Premier League, or does he want to go to Wrexham at a lower level where he might feel as though he can have more of an impact.

"There are options for both sides but it will be determined by Patrick and what he’s willing to do and where he is willing to be in the pecking order for the club."

Given Bamford's hefty reported salary, it will be a challenge for Daniel Farke's side to offload the striker, which could lead to him seeing out his contract at Elland Road.

Wrexham have been linked with the forward, and even though the club have strong financial backing, Bamford's reported salary is surely a step too high.

If the 31-year-old was willing to take a pay cut, then that would pave the way for him to secure a move away from the Yorkshire outfit.

Other factors that prospective clubs will consider are his age and lack of playing time. Now in his thirties, Bamford has only played 213 minutes of football this season and is currently out injured.

If the club do fulfill their Premier League ambitions, then, as Smith says, the club may look to use Bamford's experience, and he would provide a different type of option as a target man.

Barring a catastrophe, it looks incredibly likely that Leeds will be returning to the top flight, with 11 games remaining and an eight-point gap on third-placed Burnley.

Despite being one of the biggest names in the division, Bamford has found opportunities limited and has been on the fringes at Elland Road.