Liam Cooper’s proposed switch to Leeds United’s Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers has stalled. The centre-back, a free agent after leaving the Whites following the expiry of his contract at the end of June, held talks with the Lancashire club over a potential move to Ewood Park at the end of last week.
But a report in the Lancashire Telegraph says discussions have continued between all parties and no agreement has yet to be finalised. The newspaper has previously stated that Cooper is willing to take a pay cut to join Rovers.
It is thought United offered Cooper a one-year deal to remain in West Yorkshire following their promotion near-miss but made it clear to the defender that he would not be first choice. Daniel Farke’s men pulled off a major coup earlier in the transfer window by persuading Joe Rodon to rejoin the club on a permanent basis.
Although there is interest in Cooper’s services from elsewhere, Rovers remain the favourites to sign 32-year-old. There is an outside chance Cooper could return to Elland Road but it is unlikely as the Scotland international is eager to play regular first team football.
Rovers have reportedly offered Cooper a one-year deal, with a second year triggered if he makes a set number of appearances. The structure of the agreement would see Cooper command a higher appearance fee and a lower basic salary, understood to be around a third of what he earned at United. However, the final details of the deal have yet to be agreed.
The Lancashire Telegraph insist Blackburn’s move for Cooper is “not dead” but state “there will need to be further compromise from either end to make it happen”. Rovers are operating with a limited playing budget and are the only club in the second tier of English football who have yet to make a senior addition. There is just three weeks to go until the start of the season and Hayden Carter and Dom Hyam are the only centre-backs available to boss John Eustace with Championship experience.
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