Exclusive: Mills wowed as Leeds close in on £5m+ new deal – ‘It’s the place to be’ | OneFootball

Danny Mills has hailed the impact of Ezgjan Alioski’s “bubbly” character on the Leeds United squad as they prepare to secure his long-term future.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley, the former Whites and England full-back claimed the Macedonian’s versatility is “absolutely vital” to Marcelo Bielsa.

This site revealed last month the club are preparing to offer the 28-year-old a long-term deal worth £30,000-a-week, more than £5million in total.

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Alioski’s current deal finishes at the end of the season and he admitted to the BBC this week he would love to stay in Yorkshire.

Bielsa has utilised the versatile star on the left-hand side of defence and midfield this term but Mills has insisted it’s not just his influence in games that is key to the Argentine.

He told Football Insider: “It’s not just his impact on the pitch, I think he’s a very, very good squad player.

“He’s clearly bubbly and good to have around. You need players like that, you need players who are going to be energetic, even when they’re not in the team.

“It’s very, very important that they are there working with the team, working hard in training and helping to create a good atmosphere.

“The opposite of that would be players that are disgruntled, annoyed or upset and not necessarily giving everything in training and causing issues around the place. That’s not Allioski.

“He seems like a great character and he can play numerous positions as well which is absolutely vital.

“Leeds are in the Premier League and fans will be back in soon, where else would you want to be plying your trade next season?”

Alioski has played 142 games for Leeds across all competitions since signing from Swiss side Lugano in July 2017.

In other Leeds United news, Darren Bent has been left drooling over Bielsa’s plan for a yet-to-be-seen player.