Junior Firpo ready to quit Leeds as he closes in on deal elsewhere

Junior Firpo has been in a precarious position for some time at Leeds United given his contract expires in the summer.

Leeds fans have been split on whether the Whites should offer the left-back a new deal, with his impressive performances in the Championship balanced out by some previous struggles defensively in the Premier League.

Firpo is now 28 and his next contract could be career-defining, having previously played in Spain with titans Barcelona and also Real Betis, where he became a professional player.

Firpo set to leave Leeds United

Firpo is now set to leave Elland Road on a free transfer in the summer and rejoin Real Betis, according to Orgullobiri.

The Spanish outlet (7 March) report that Firpo is "increasingly closer" to agreeing a move back to his former club in La Liga, where he left in 2019 to join Barcelona.

The Dominican Republic international has made over 100 appearances since joining Leeds from Barca in 2021, but looks unlikely to pen a new deal in Yorkshire.

It is understood Firpo's impressive performances this season from left-back, which have seen him contribute just as heavily in attack as in the backline, have drawn him back onto Betis' radar ahead of a free transfer ready to be arranged.

Leeds have been linked with left-back replacements in the meantime, and will require a massive squad overhaul after completing their mission to return to the Premier League.

Farke focused on football, not contracts

Farke has been insistent on focusing purely on the football, brushing off any questioning about players' expiring deals.

Alongside Firpo, Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui are among the players whose contracts run their course in June.

The left-back however is the name on everyone's lips in that regard, given his improved performances throughout the season and his rejuvenated return to the side after his injury.

Firpo remains a key part of the promotion-hunting side under Farke and while discussions with Leeds will resume at some stage, it looks as if Betis are showing far more their hunger to sign him.

Leeds have already been contacted by Betis earlier this season when a late January bid for Mateo Joseph came in, instantly rebuffed - but Firpo is in a situation that is now out of his club's hands.