Leeds United news round-up: Firpo transfer decision made amid Ampadu injury update
Daniel Farke and his players may have entered a two-week break from fixtures, but the Leeds United news cycle continues to rumble along.
Leeds enter the international break – their first since November but final one between now and the end of the season – sitting on top of the Championship table, ahead of Sheffield United on goal difference.
Farke’s side had gone five points clear of the chasing pack with consecutive late wins over Sunderland and the Blades, but just one win in the four games since have seen the Whites reeled in at the summit.
Draws with West Brom and QPR last time out, coming either side of a loss at Portsmouth and victory over Millwall, leave United facing an eight-game shootout to seal their automatic promotion place by 3 May.
Here, MOT Leeds News rounds up the latest goings on in and around Elland Road on Tuesday, 18 March.
Junior Firpo exit decision made at Elland Road
Of the players whose futures in the white shirt need resolving this summer, Farke’s first-choice left-back Junior Firpo is without doubt the most high-profile, with his contract in line to expire on 30 June.
However, TEAMtalk have reported (18 March) that Firpo is “increasingly unlikely” to extend his stay at Elland Road, with his former employers Real Betis one of three Spanish clubs interested in signing him.
| Season | League appearances | Starts | Goals | Assists |
| 2021/22 | 24 | 19 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022/23 | 19 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023/24 | 29 | 22 | 0 | 7 |
| 2024/25 | 28 | 25 | 4 | 9 |
Firpo has recently signed up to a new agency, You First, and despite being a cult hero in West Yorkshire, the Dominican Republic international could be set to end his four-year spell with Leeds in the summer.
Leeds receive ‘stellar’ Ethan Ampadu injury boost
It’s come as no surprise to Leeds fans that their slight tail-off in form over the last four games has coincided with Ethan Ampadu being consigned to the sidelines with a potentially serious knee injury.
Ampadu, however, could now be back on the grass at Elland Road sooner than expected, with Sky Sports journalist Geraint Hughes stating that the Welsh international is on the brink of a return to fitness.
Speaking on Sky Sports News live from Wales’ training base (18 March, 2:10pm), Hughes said: “[Ampadu] has had an absolutely stellar season.
“However, it’s been affected by a serious injury, which I understand he’s not too far away from getting back to fitness from.”
Leeds set for £100m transfer spend after Paraag Marathe reveal
Promotion is by no means guaranteed despite the Whites sitting top of the Championship heading into the last eight games, but Leeds’ owners are still preparing to hit the Premier League with a splash.
Paraag Marathe and 49ers Enterprises could shell out over £100million in new signings if and when promotion is sealed, and football finance expert Dan Plumley outlined how such an outlay could happen.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Plumley said: “We perhaps expected them to have to spend, of course.
“You can see at the minute, the three clubs that went up last season are looking likely to come straight back down. So, Leeds are aware of that as well.
“You’ve got to look at the bigger regulatory picture. PSR has been agreed by the Premier League for one more season, and then they’ll look to transition into this squad cost rule that UEFA have put forward or a version of.”