Joel Piroe pre-contract transfer plan emerges as Leeds United chase deal for Swansea City striker
Joel Piroe is prepared to play out his Swansea City contract this season despite transfer interest from Leeds United, according to Alan Nixon.
The 23-year-old Dutchman is also wanted by fellow relegated side Leicester City, but his asking price is reportedly putting both off a move for him.
Mail Plus had reported on 24 July that the Swans wanted £15million for the man who has scored 44 times in all competitions across just two seasons since moving from PSV Eindhoven, and that the Whites had made contact already to ask for information.
But according to journalist Nixon on Patreon (30 July) Piroe is prepared to ignore English moves this summer in order to depart on a free transfer in a year’s time to Serie A, with an unnamed side ready and waiting to negotiate a pre-contract in January.
Piroe is reportedly “relaxed” about the delay in any move during the current window because he would make more money if he signs on a free transfer next summer.
Swansea signing Blackpool’s Jerry Yates was tipped to see Piroe “certainly” move on [Darren Witcoop, 10 July], but it appears that may not necessarily be the case.
Stick or twist
The loan exits look to have really thrown a spanner into the works of the transfer window, with the 49ers thought to have been ready to spend when they came in.
But a willingness on their part is only half the equation as they can’t rack up losses when income isn’t coming in for outgoings.
To lose all of Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca and Diego Llorente, with six figure loan fees thought to be the extent of the return, clearly doesn’t add up far enough to cancel out big money purchases and stay on the right side of FFP rules.
Ethan Ampadu cost £7million guaranteed, and there are a number of targets who would be extremely useful for Daniel Farke this season in positions of need if the budget stretches.
But with fees of £10m-£15m mooted in the cases of Piroe, Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, Manchester City centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, and quite possibly something similar if they could get midfielder Gustavo Hamer from Coventry City, it is unfeasible in the Championship without significant outgoings.
It remains to be seen whether a large offer comes in to force the Whites to let somebody like Jack Harrison leave, but without that it might be a case of Farke choosing the one or two targets he likes the most and making a push, while looking to pick up bargain options in other areas.
In other Leeds United news, a Champions League club have emerged in the running for a Whites ace that could tip the balance.