End could be nigh for Junior Firpo at Leeds United as intriguing transfer speculation emerges
Leeds United are reportedly one of several clubs interested in signing Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney this summer – and that could spell the end of Junior Firpo’s time at Elland Road.
The Scotland international has struggled to nail down a permanent place at the Emirates this season after establishing himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s team leaders last term.
Tierney’s lack of opportunities has reportedly alerted plenty of Premier League interest with 90min revealing on 8 March that the player “has at no point questioned his role within Arsenal’s squad, but his lack of minutes has piqued the attention of a number of other clubs.
“Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is a confirmed admirer of Tierney, having previously worked with him at Celtic, while Aston Villa, West Ham and Leeds are also believed to keeping tabs on his situation”, as reported by 90min [8 March].
The Whites have struggled on the left-back front for much of the campaign after Stuat Dallas’ long-term injury last year, with both Pascal Struijk and Firpo struggling to establish themselves as permanent options for the role.
The latter has performed admirably in recent weeks since Javi Gracia’s arrival last month but has only managed nine Premier League games all season.
Struijk and Max Wober are both capable of playing at left-back too but believe their best position is at centre-back, which would leave a gaping hole for Tierney to step in and fill in West Yorkshire.
Leeds will be searching for a permanent fixture at left-back this summer and the former Celtic man seamlessly fits the bill.
Tierney has only started four times in the division for Arsenal this season but did show promise in his 22 starts in the top flight in the 2021/22 campaign – averaging a 6.93 [SofaScore] and winning 61% of his ground duels and 52% of his total duels.
Over the last 365 days, the Scotsman has averaged an impressive 9.81 [FBref] progressive passes and carries combined per 90 in the Premier League and European competitions, whilst Firpo has only managed an average 5.73 [FBref] combined per 90 minutes.
The 25-year-old ranks amongst the best left-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for his progressive metrics, ranking in the top 6% of full-backs for progressive passes and top 10% for progressive carries showing he’s got a lot to offer in possession.
Tierney also excels in his defensive work too exerting himself as the complete full-back, something Firpo has consistently failed to show throughout his time at Elland Road.
However, with the Whites currently embroiled in a relegation dogfight, any move for Tierney will have to be put on the back burner for now. But, regardless, the end does seem nigh for Firpo at Elland Road beyond this season.
In other Leeds United news, a regular first-team starter is in line for a cut-price exit after familiar contract issues.
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