Leeds United defender Liam Cooper in talks with Blackburn Rovers, Sheffield United on free transfer

According to the latest reports, Liam Cooper is heading for a move away from Leeds United as he looks to agree a deal with Blackburn Rovers or Sheffield United on a free transfer.

Sheffield United are interested in the Leeds United club captain, having already secured the services of Jamie Shackelton earlier in the window.

The writing was on the wall earlier this month when, despite being offered a one-year contract extension by the club, Cooper became a free agent on July 1.

Rovers, who could yet face competition, are in the market to add experience to their young group of defenders.

Elland Road spent 10 years at the club, surviving 14 managers, leading the team to a Championship title and playing Premier League football under Marcelo Bielsa.

Along with team-mates Pontus Jansson and Pablo Hernandez, Coops was named in the 2018/19 PFA Championship Team of the Season as the Whites fell to Derby County in the play-offs.

Despite the disruption caused by Covid-19, he retained his place in the PFA Team of the Season as Leeds returned to the top flight of English football.

Although the Scotland international has played an increasingly peripheral role in recent seasons, those linked to the club will be quick to acknowledge his influence.

A natural leader on and off the pitch, the centre-back, who cost £600,000 from Shrewsbury Town in 2014, was one of four players left from El Loco’s league winners.

Saying goodbye to Cooper will feel like a final farewell to a memorable era, one in which he played alongside Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi, Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Stuart Dallas and Hernandez.