Leeds United news: Junior Firpo mooted target for Elland Road exit in January transfer window after player ruptures ACL
Junior Firpo has been named as a potential target to leave Leeds United for Real Sociedad during the January transfer window after they were hit by a major injury blow, by Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish outlet claimed via their website on 21 January that in the wake of an ACL rupture for full-back Aihen Muñoz in the win over Celta Vigo at the weekend the Whites defender could be pursued as a replacement.
The 27-year-old Elland Road man is seen as a more expensive option for the final days of the transfer window than other linked names as the Basque club looks for a solution before the deadline.
Former Barcelona full-back Firpo missed the first three months of the Championship season under Daniel Farke and then was out for another chunk of games with injury, but has started the past three wins and recorded four assists in that time.
No chance
It would be ironically very Leeds for Firpo’s presence as the only specialist left-back in the squad to be a point of contention for supporters for multiple windows during his struggles for form and fitness only for the club to sell him just as he comes good.
But it would be incredibly risky to let a third full-back depart this month when the club came into the New Year apparently needing to add there.
Whether Firpo’s outstanding recent form is the sign of belatedly becoming the player he was hoped to be when arriving from the Camp Nou three summers ago remains to be seen.
His ability to stay fit and available has routinely robbed him on the chance to get into a rhythm at Elland Road, and with Sam Byram also being increasingly hit by familiar injury worries himself Farke could really use cover.
After Farke let Djed Spence and Luke Ayling leave unexpectedly this month the full-back spots are looking precarious, and despite apparent interest in numerous targets there hasn’t been anyone through the door yet.
The idea that Firpo is arguably indispensable at the moment after some excellent games might have seemed preposterous at times last season but it is essentially true currently.
Leeds United need new arrivals now rather than more exits, and with the days counting down there is little time to replace yet another departure at this stage of the window.
In other Leeds United news, an agreement is close to be finalised at Elland Road according to Phil Hay.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.