Local midfielder Jamie Shackleton, who played for Leeds United under Jesse Marsch in 2021–22, was permitted to leave last summer and join Millwall on loan.
The 23-year-old played 37 times for the Londoners in all competitions, but he wasn’t always a starter for the play-off contenders, leaving him with an uncertain future when he returned to West Yorkshire this past summer.
Shackleton has so far been very helpful to new United head coach Daniel Farke in a variety of positions, making six appearances despite a flood of new signings in the positions he plays in. However, things might have been different for him this summer if clubs had intensified their interest in him.
Which organizations were considering hiring Jamie Shackleton this summer?
Shackleton was supposed to be treated as a permanent acquisition for the Lions only if they were promoted to the Premier League, despite the fact that a permanent fee had already been pre-agreed in the loan arrangement to bring him to The Den.
As it turned out, Gary Rowett’s team fell short of the playoffs after struggling in the last several weeks of the regular season, and Shackleton himself played sparingly over the final two months.
Because of that, he returned to Elland Road over the summer, with little certainty about his future under new head coach Farke.
However, there was a chance that Shackleton might have gone if transfer demand for his services solidified.
According to The Athletic, Shackleton was considered by Rangers and Michael Beale as a potential addition to their Championship team from last season, which also contained Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell.
Queens Park Rangers, Beale’s old club, also made a tentative inquiry for the versatile midfielder, but Gareth Ainsworth’s team was deterred by the fact that it would have required a loan fee to complete any deal. However, that potential transfer did not materialize.
Shackleton will continue at Elland Road until at least January, where he will be aiming to establish himself under Farke, as other clubs were not really interested in signing him.
What is the status of Jamie Shackleton’s contract with Leeds United right now?
Shackleton signed his most recent contract in August 2020, so there isn’t much time left on his term with the team he’s been a part of since he was seven.
Shackleton has less than a year left on his contract, which expires in June 2024. To earn a lucrative extension, he must perform well.
The choice might be taken either before or after Leeds’ division for the upcoming season is determined, but if United waits too long to extend his contract, they run the chance of losing him for free.
Was Leeds correct to keep Jamie Shackleton on staff?
It was appropriate for Farke to retain Shackleton around because he has historically performed well in the Championship and is a pretty nice option to have in a squad.
The 23-year-old might have left if there had been more substantial interest and offers over the summer, but he is usefully versatile and has already demonstrated this season that he can play a variety of roles.
There will be times when Shackleton will be helpful to Farke and Leeds because of his abundance of energy, which he can supply both in midfield and at full-back. He may have a lot to offer in 2023–24.
