Marques seeks Leeds stay

Marques: Hoping for Leeds stay

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Rui Marques' agent insists the Leeds United defender's priority is to win a new deal with the Elland Road club.

The Angolan's contract is due to expire this summer and, as yet, the West Yorkshire club are yet to offer him fresh terms.

Marques began the season as Leeds' first-choice defender with Richard Naylor on the sidelines, but he has slipped down Simon Grayson's pecking order.

The former Maritimo and Stuttgart defender has made just five League One starts this term and has not featured since August.

Marques has an offer to join MLS outfit Toronto, although his agent Hayden Evans concedes the club's stature could be a factor in his final decision.

Up in the air

"Like hundreds of players, his future's up in the air at the moment, but he has got an offer to go to Toronto," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"It's a distinct possibility and I'd imagine he'll fly out there in the next few weeks to investigate it.

"But it's obviously a big contrast to the club he's with at the moment and a complete change of scene.

"I certainly think that a fully-fit Rui is capable of playing at Championship level and I wouldn't want him to drop below League One.

"We have to take the assumption that he's not going to get another deal with Leeds.

"Any player this close to the end of his contact has to look at his options, but Rui's priority would still be to stay at Leeds."