Inter Milan avoided ‘danger’ when they missed out on Leeds United defender Junior Firpo
Italian newspaper Gazzetta Dello Sport has hit out at Junior Firpo suggesting Inter Milan escaped “danger” as the left-back instead signed for Leeds United
Firpo rejected a move to the San Siro (The Times, 30 June 2021) to seal a move to Elland Road from Barcelona. However, the Italian media still seem irritated over the saga and recently hit out at the left-back.
In their recent preview for Inter Milan’s Champions League fixture against Barcelona, Gazzetta journalist Alessandro De Felice suggests the Serie A side dodge a bullet by not signing Firpo.
He wrote (pg 20, 12 October 2022): “Winter 2020, 80 million and Junior Firpo: all done or almost. Then Covid.
“But again, if you think about it … Junior Firpo! Who today plays for Leeds without leaving big traces and then they (Barcelona) valued him €30m, today you go to Transfermarkt and you are struggling to reach €12m. Danger escaped. For Inter, of course.”
Weird behaviour
It’s slightly weird behaviour from the Italian newspaper to highlight Firpo again considering this transfer saga took place a long time ago. Although Firpo hasn’t been a huge success at Elland Road, he’s still a competitive option for Jesse Marsch to utilise from time to time.
Considering that he came from Barcelona, many fans were probably expecting a little bit more from Firpo, but to suggest Inter “escaped danger” is a little bit far-fetched. A left-back should soon be on the agenda for Marsch with Pascal Struijk currently operating in the full-back role.
For all Leeds’ good summer transfer business, it’s a shame the club didn’t manage to recruit another specialist left-back, particularly after there were concerns over Firpo’s form.
The 26-year-old has been rather unfortunate when it comes to injuries, with the full-back currently sidelined due to a thigh problem. With Firpo’s injury woes and Struijk playing out of position, the club must prioritise a left back in January above all else.
In other Leeds United news, an unexpected exit could be on the cards at Leeds after what happened in the Premier League on Friday.