Out of the three Leeds United players out of contract this summer, perhaps Junior Firpo’s is the headline talking topic.

Monday night saw him bag a goal and assist when the team needed it most, and all from left-back. Sam Byram - also out of contract in June - had deputised so well for the injured Firpo over the festive period that calls for him to retain his place ahead of the Dominican grew.

However, the former Barcelona defender soon showed why he is the first-choice pick. Those three assists in the 7-0 thumping of Cardiff City earlier this month re-established the pecking order.

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He later provided a throw-in assist for Manor Solomon against Watford before his flick-on saw Ao Tanaka nod home in the 89th-minute against Sheffield United. However, as things stand, he will not be a Leeds player come June.

When asked about his player's contract situation earlier this month, Daniel Farke indicated he had not spoken to him about a renewal amidst the hectic schedule. If talks haven’t been held in the interim, then the clock is very much ticking.

This is a two-way decision, though. Firpo has been linked with clubs in La Liga, namely Real Betis. His performances will have attracted attention from other onlookers too.

It seems clear the only way United keep hold of the full-back is if they secure promotion to the Premier League, though this is the case for many of their stars.

At the same time, Firpo has not exactly had an unblemished injury record during his time at Elland Road, and his career. The 28-year-old has sustained at least one problem in each of his last eight seasons, going back before his time at Barcelona, during his first stint at Betis.

Furthermore, there are some questions over his defensive attentiveness, especially at Premier League level. So there are things to prove from both parties, but it is undeniable that Firpo is an excellent asset when on song.

Leeds have allowed themselves to get to a position where their main two left-back options are out of contract this summer and it is a situation they must address before long if they wish to get ahead of the transfer game this summer.

Farke outlined in a recent press conference that it is more difficult to plan long term when it is uncertain what division his team will be playing in next season. The chasm in financial revenue between the leagues cannot be understated and that in turn feeds into contract decisions.

The club are understood to be planning for different scenarios anyway. Farke is of the opinion that planning well leads to getting out of the blocks sooner in the transfer market, which is for the better.

Firpo has top-flight experience and would cost nothing, aside from a probable wage increase, to keep on. The alternative is that he leaves for nothing and Leeds need to splash money on a new left-back.

If they are promoted, Leeds will have tighter spending limits than their Premier League mainstay rivals. This is due to the smaller cash-loss allowances during Championship campaigns across the three-year financial cycle.

So every penny counts, a mantra the 49ers may or may not have had in mind amid their strict winter transfer policy.

Byram is appreciated by Farke and the United faithful but, should he renew, he cannot be the first-choice left-back going into the new season, despite his Premier League experience. The academy graduate turns 32 in September.

Byram, a natural right-back, has made public his intention to stay on at Leeds while Firpo has yet to do the same. Betis, the club with whom he made his senior debut, are pushing for Europe in La Liga.

If the transfer interest links are true, Leeds should not underestimate the lure of a return. Guaranteed minutes and a bump up in salary may be what Firpo’s representatives ask for.

The 49ers might have to decide whether to oblige. It’s not outrageous to suggest that a contract dance between both camps is currently going on.

Is a renewal offer a straightforward decision? Some may argue so. Either way, given recent showings and United’s current trajectory, it’s a becoming a growingly pressing matter.