Real Betis open talks with Leeds United to sign Junior Firpo, player happy to leave
Real Betis have opened talks with Leeds United about signing Junior Firpo in the January transfer window, according to Estadio Deportivo.
Writing on their website (24 November), the Spanish news outlet report that the clubs have held talks about a deal while discussing terms to make Marc Roca’s loan move permanent.
Firpo was expected to leave in the summer before suffering an injury, but he has “never hidden his desire to one day return” to Betis and the La Liga club could look to make a move for him if they sell their current left-back Juan Miranda.
“Meanwhile, the dialogue with Leeds has coincided with the reappearance of Junior Firpo (27), who was unheard of this season after breaking the collateral ligament in one of his knees in pre-season,” they wrote.
“The Spanish-Dominican, who has never hidden his desire to one day return to what was his home, had 36 minutes in the victory against Plymouth Argyle (2-1), the Whites’ last match before the national team break.
“Now, we will have to check the state of the joint, which already caused trouble at the beginning of its landing in England.”
No problem
Firpo’s return to fitness was an obvious boost for Daniel Farke and Leeds because he has played at such a high level in the past and provides the squad with an extra option in a busy season.
But we have got on perfectly fine without him this season, and he’s hardly ripped up any trees during his time at Elland Road in the Premier League so you’d be hard-pressed to find a Whites fan too fussed if he did move on.
The club would likely be able to get a pretty decent fee for him, and failing that a loan move would be possible which would take up an extra spot for another first-team player who could look to leave.
It could be quite tactical to let him go on loan as it could help us in negotiations for other players during the window who could be targetted for moves if that avenue for an exit is closed off early on.
With Sam Byram, Djed Spence, Jamie Shackleton and Pascal Struijk all capable of playing at left-back we’re not short of options so if he wants to leave, then let him.
In other Leeds news, rarely-seen 22 year-old in squad to face Rotherham.