John Eustace, Blackburn Rovers’ head coach, said that “nothing had progressed” with Liam Cooper following his departure from Leeds United.
The 32-year-old centre-back is presently a free agent after his contract at Elland Road expired last month, and has been linked with a move to Ewood Park.
The Rovers are now “deadlocked” in contract talks with the veteran defender, according to the Lancashire Telegraph, and extending his stay at Elland Road is still an option.
Eustace told the Lancashire Telegraph on Monday (29 July): “I want as many players as possible; you can see the squad is very thin.”
“It’s clear that the squad has to improve, with the correct characters and experience.
“I believe that anyone we bring in must make the roles highly competitive. It is critical that the recruitment staff works tirelessly, as they are, to bring in the proper people.”
Liam Cooper is in limbo after leaving Leeds United.
A return to Leeds is still an option for the defender, and even if he does not get the game time he wants next season, he should think about it.
While there are other players at Elland Road who would be ahead of him in the pecking order, Cooper would provide valuable experience and expertise to the group ahead of the next season.
The 32-year-old was a member of the squad that earned promotion to the Premier League in the 2019/20 season, winning the Championship title under Marcelo Bielsa and starting 36 league games.
Daniel Farke has made it obvious that Cooper will play a little role next season, but he is willing to grant him a new deal because of his leadership talents, even from the bench.
With Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon, and Max Wober currently on the team, Cooper is likely to be the fourth-choice option, which is not what he wants, but being without a club until the transfer window closes would be far worse.
