Paudie O’Connor is expected to receive a pay rise at Elland Road, as Leeds United look to warn off interest from elsewhere in the defender.

The 20-year-old centre-back has broken into Leeds’ first-team in recent weeks, producing impressive performances against Sunderland and Preston North End.

According to the Daily Mirror’s print edition (April 13th, page 53), some of Leeds’ rivals are circling and showing an interest in O’Connor, which has led to the Sky Bet Championship outfit preparing a pay rise for the defender.

According to transfermarkt, O’Connor’s Leeds deal expires in the summer of 2019, with news of a pay rise an indication that the Whites will be looking to tie the defender down to a long-term deal.

O’Connor’s route to the first-team has come due to major injury problems at Elland Road, with Matthew Pennington, Liam Cooper and Conor Shaughnessy all on the sidelines.

The 20-year-old has partnered Pontus Jansson in central defence against Sunderland and Preston, with O’Connor now seemingly set to finish the Championship season as Leeds’ first choice centre-back.

Jansson will miss tonight’s clash with Aston Villa due to concussion, leaving O’Connor to play a leading role at Villa Park. It is likely that Hugo Diaz will join the 20-year-old in central defence.

The Verdict

O’Connor has impressed on his first-team introduction at Elland Road and hearing Leeds want to reward him is no surprise.

Interest from elsewhere is to be expected, but Leeds offering the defender a pay rise and potentially a new deal should warn off interest.

Paul Heckingbottom will learn a lot about O’Connor in Jansson’s absence.

Leeds fans… Let us know your thoughts!

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