Junior Firpo exit on the cards at Leeds United as official international announcement made
The last few days of the transfer window have been fairly hectic for Leeds United fans.
Although the £40million transfer of Archie Gray to Tottenham is now confirmed [Fabrizio Romano, 2 July], you’d hope that things would start to quieten down in terms of player sales.
However, evidently that isn’t the case as Junior Firpo is set to miss pre-season, but not for the reason you may think.
Since arriving from Barcelona back in 2021, the left-back has endured an inconsistent spell with Leeds. Firpo has played a total of 84 times during his stint and contributed to a total of 14 goals.
Firpo had an excellent second half of the campaign last term but had issues with form and injury before that and the Daily Mail reported (2 July) that the left-back is set to be sold by Leeds this summer
And, thanks to the defender now being called up to the 2024 Olympic Games to represent the Dominican Republic, it almost feels as if his Leeds future has been sealed.
What does this mean for the future of Junior Firpo and Leeds United?
Although the fact that Firpo is missing Leeds’ pre-season doesn’t set in stone the fact that he could be exit-bound this summer, it doesn’t bode well for the defender.
Mateo Joseph was denied the opportunity to represent his country this summer (Yorkshire Evening Post, 26 June), which outlines Leeds’ stance in regard to keeping the striker and his importance to their preparations for the new campaign.
Conversely, the fact that Firpo was allowed to miss pre-season makes it feel as if Daniel Farke is willing to plan for life without the 27-year-old.
Prior to the transfer window opening, Phil Hay outlined the defender as one of four players that the West Yorkshire outfit could be looking at selling this summer.
But, since the transfer of Archie Gray to Tottenham, it seems as if the Whites don’t ‘need’ to make any additional sales if they don’t wish to do so.
Granted, this doesn’t mean that no deals will occur, but, the club haven’t yet been linked with many defenders outside of Joe Rodon who has today confirmed a permanent switch to Elland Road.
So, in reality, although an exit from Firpo is likely, at the moment, there are no players waiting in line to replace him.
Especially since Stuart Dallas announced his decision to retire from professional football at the end of the 2023/24 season.
In other Leeds news, an update has been provided on the future of Crysencio Summerville.
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