Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has suggested that a number of Premier League clubs are likely to be interested in Stuart Dallas when the transfer window reopens.

Dallas has been in outstanding form for Leeds this season, featuring in every league game they have played so far, filling in in a variety of positions and helping Marcelo Bielsa's side to top spot in the current Championship table, seven points clear of third-placed Fulham with nine games of the season still to be played at some point.

Having previously turned out for Crusaders in his native Northern Ireland, Brentford and Northampton prior to his move to Elland Road in 2015, Dallas has never played in the Premier League during his career, although it seems Whelan has a feeling that he could get the opportunity to do so next season, even if the club do not win promotion.

Asked whether he was surprised that Dallas has yet to attract interest from a Premier League club, Whelan told Football Insider: “Well I’m glad they haven’t to be quite honest with you.

“I think Premier League clubs probably look at other players. They’ve obviously watched Leeds United and the team, they’ve been on TV so many times, they see the great squad we’ve assembled, the fantastic style of football that we play."

It does however, seem as though Whelan is confident Dallas will still be at Elland Road come the start of the new season, as he added: “I’m sure people will be looking at him, I’m sure people will have people like Stuart Dallas in their mind come pre-season but I don’t think Stuart’s wanting to go anywhere.

“I think he’s enjoying his football where he is and he knows he’s got an excellent opportunity to be at a massive club in the Premier League next year.”

Dallas only signed a new contract at Leeds earlier this season, with his current deal securing his future at Elland Road until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The Verdict 

I do agree with Whelan here.

Dallas' performances throughout his side's push for promotion so far this season certainly suggest he has the ability to make the step up to the top-flight, and his versatility makes him an even greater asset in that sense, meaning you could understand any interest that might emerge in him.

However, the new contract he signed earlier in the campaign shows that the Northern Ireland international has no intention of leaving Elland Road any time soon, and puts Leeds in a strong position to negotiate any offer that might come in for Dallas in the summer.