"Time's up" - Pundit urges Leeds United to make big Patrick Bamford decision in January | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his view on reports that Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is keen to leave the club.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Leeds United should look to sell striker Patrick Bamford in January after it was revealed he is keen to leave the club next summer.

Football Insider claimed earlier this week that Bamford is planning to depart Elland Road next summer after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of game time under Daniel Farke.

Bamford joined Leeds from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2018 for an initial fee of £7 million, rising to £10 million, and he played a crucial role as the club won the Championship title under Marcelo Bielsa in the 2019-20 season.

The 31-year-old's fine form continued in the Premier League, resulting in him making his senior debut for England at international level in September 2021, but he has struggled with injuries in recent years, and he has fallen out of favour in the early stages of this campaign.

Bamford has made just three substitute appearances for the Whites in the league so far this season, with Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe preferred to him, although he has made one start in the EFL Cup.

The striker is under contract at the club until the summer of 2026, but he is reportedly looking to move in search of more regular minutes, and Leeds are considering cashing in on him at the end of the season rather than losing him for free.

Carlton Palmer on Patrick Bamford's Leeds United future

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that it is the right time for Bamford to leave Elland Road, and he urged Leeds to sell him in January and bring in a new striker.

"It's rumoured that Patrick Bamford has said he wants to leave Leeds in the summer," Palmer said.

"I'm a big admirer of Bamford, he's just picked up a lot of injuries.

"In the 2019-20 season, he ended up with 16 goals in the Championship, and he then went into the Premier League in the 2020-21 season and scored 17 goals.

"His game time has been very, very limited this season, and he's on huge money, so I can't see Leeds offering him a new contract, I just don't see how that works.

"One thing Bamford can do is score goals at this level, and you would think that an experienced player could help the young players at the football club.

"Do you keep him in the building hoping that he can score goals at a higher level or do you take the money in January and let him go?

"For me, given his injury problems, I think I would offload him in January and look to bring another striker who can add to your tally.

"Depending on where you are in the league, you might also be looking to bring a player into the football club that can play in the Premier League as well.

"In my opinion, I think time's up for Bamford at Leeds United.

"He's had very little to offer in the last few years due to injury and unfortunately, when that happens, it's time to move those types of players on."

Leeds United should not rush into Patrick Bamford decision

It is no surprise that Bamford is becoming frustrated with his lack of game time at Leeds this season, but the club should be cautious about selling him in January.

Many wrote Bamford off after he failed to score a single goal in the first half of last season, but he netted nine times in the second half of the campaign, and he is capable of going on a similar run again.

While Piroe and Joseph have performed well for the Whites this season, neither have been prolific, meaning Bamford could get his chance at some stage, and he will be needed over the busy winter period, particularly if injuries or suspensions were to hit.

If Leeds can bring in a replacement, then they could consider selling Bamford in January, but he is still a decent goalscorer at Championship level, so it may be sensible to wait until the summer before making any decisions on his future.