One of Leeds United’s marquee arrivals of last summer is attracting interest from numerous clubs.
49ers Enterprises brought in nine new players during their first window with full ownership, and it would be fair to say they enjoyed varying degrees of success.
Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon were certainly the pick of the bunch, and it is no surprise Leeds have since forked out £10 million to sign the latter on a permanent basis.
Sam Byram, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev and Joel Piroe all also enjoyed decent campaigns, though certainly aren’t irreplaceable in the squad like Ampadu and Rodon.
Jaidon Anthony, Djed Spence and Karl Darlow were the other three and for varying reasons, unfortunately did not make much of an impact.
Graeme Bailey shares what he’s heard on Joel Piroe’s Leeds future
While Leeds have brought in three new signings so far this summer, a lot of focus still remains on who might be departing before the end of August.
The £40 million sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham last week has significantly eased Leeds’ PSR concerns, but that will not stop interested clubs from chancing their arm at some of the club’s other stars.
Crysencio Summerville continues to attract elite level interest, while a £30 million offer from Brighton has been turned down for Georginio Rutter. Kamara, Gruev and Illan Meslier are just some of the others who have been linked with exits as well.
Joel Piroe has also been tenuously mentioned as a potential departure, and speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has shared a new update.
Bailey says that he has now heard there is a distinct possibility Piroe could be on the move after just 12 months at Elland Road, with interest now arising from a ‘few places’.
“We think that is the case [Leeds signing a striker]. We are hearing that Piroe may be on the move and Bamford is available as we know. There is still quite a lot to happen at Elland Road with the squad, might be one in, one out. Farke wants a bit more and I think he will bring a striker in.
“There is interest in Piroe from a few places, it hasn’t quite worked out for him since he arrived so it’s an interesting one. I think there is quite a bit of interest from abroad but we will see how that transpires.”
Leeds selling Piroe would be good business
Leeds spent an initial £10.5 million to sign Piroe last August but after failing to win promotion, do not have an extra £3 million to pay yet.
By selling Piroe now, they could avoid having to do that while also getting a player off the books who does not fit too well into the system.
Piroe did not look comfortable either leading the line or playing as a 10 last season, and had ample opportunities to do both.
If they can get their money back and reinvest in either a proper number nine or attacking midfielder, it would be good business.