Joel Piroe now ‘likely’ to leave Swansea City with Leeds United in pursuit of £10m transfer – Phil Hay
Leeds United are “working on a deal” to sign Joel Piroe from Swansea City with the striker “increasingly likely” to move, according to Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist reported on the outlet’s website on 23 August that the Whites value the Dutchman at between £8million and £10million having held a “long-standing” interest, and are “under pressure” to land a striker as the position is a “major priority”.
According to Hay both Southampton and Leicester City are still tracking the 24-year-old who has “resisted” a two-year contract extension in South Wales.
Daniel Farke wants a striker before the deadline because both Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph are out injured, with Georginio Rutter his only fit forward, but not seen as a number nine.
Southampton boss Russell Martin likes Piroe and managed him at Swansea, where he has scored 41 Championship goals over the past two seasons, before leaving for St. Mary’s this summer.
Push
If Leeds United can get this done it would put a much more positive spin on what has been a very difficult transfer window.
Double-digit exits have left Farke unable to name a full substitutes bench, with the injury crisis adding to his problems along with players like Willy Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra wanting to leave in addition.
Striker has been a need for at least a year with Bamford the only senior central striker and so often ruled out by injury.
Clearly isn’t going to be cheap to get a deal done for Piroe, and the competition from rivals is a concern, but his opportunities at Elland Road are likely to be extensive given the lack of other proven options in the squad.
It has been suggested by The Sun’s Alan Nixon already that personal terms will be the real stumbling block with the Swansea man looking for big money since his contract is up in a year and he will make a lot more as a free agent.
But after selling Tyler Adams for north of his £20m release clause and seeing a huge amount shed from the wage bill it might be doable.
In other Leeds United news, the winner has been named in the pursuit of a Premier League full-back that the Whites genuinely wanted this summer.