Craig Scott

Sat 3 July 2021 10:30, UK

Leeds United are ready to kick off what promises to be a stunning summer transfer window by signing Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo.

Reporting on his personal Twitter account on Thursday, EsportsRAC1 broadcaster Gerard Romero said that Firpo, 24, is expected to jet into the UK over the next 48 hours to finalise his move to Leeds.

It is understood he’ll sign a four-year deal with the West Yorkshire club, who have moved fast to sort out their left-back issue after Ezgjan Alioski’s contract expires.

Alioski was our main left-back last season after Stuart Dallas moved into the midfield so with the North Macedonian looking as though he’s moving on, it’s superb to see a replacement coming in as soon as possible with players reporting back for pre-season training.

Marcelo Bielsa demands a lot from his players and we dread to think how hard Firpo is going to be pushed once he arrives at Thorp Arch.

However, getting him in sooner rather than later means he can adapt to Bielsa’s system and physical demands in time for the Whites’ Premier League opener against Manchester United next month.

Firpo is a really good addition at left-back too – even Gabby Agbonlahor says it’s a “massive” signing [Football Insider].

When he first arrived at Barcelona, then-manager Quique Setien waxed lyrical about the Dominican Republic-born full-back.

As quoted by LeedsLive, Setien said: “Barca have made a good deal,” he said. “It’s a boy with enormous potential, youth, desire, excitement and quality. He’s worth the gamble.

“He will make progress at Barca because he has the desire and potential for growth. He has things to improve, of course.

“Barca have made an excellent deal. He has some qualities to polish, and good things that will come in handy.”

Of course, Firpo struggled to get game-time at the Nou Camp because he was in competition for a spot in the side with Jordi Alba, who’s one of the best left-backs in the world.

Last season, Firpo played just seven times in La Liga and only 18 times in all competitions for Barcelona.

He only started three times in La Liga and showed that when he does start, he can produce by getting one goal and one assist in those starts.

It’s a promising signing but we’re sure that there’ll be more to follow Firpo to Elland Road this summer.

Leeds United really need to add to their central midfield options.

Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has reported that Leeds are anticipated to sign a new central midfielder while Sky Sports have previously claimed the Whites want someone who’s in a similar mould to Rodrigo De Paul.

After adding to the midfield, where does Victor Orta go then?

In our opinion, he should focus on getting a new striker, adding to the wide options and then a new back-up goalkeeper if they can find a taker for Kiko Casilla.

We don’t ned a new centre-forward but someone who can support Patrick Bamford and maybe make an impact from the bench would be great while Bielsa loves to have an array of wingers to choose from.

It promises to be a stunning summer at Elland Road.

Let’s hope Firpo’s medical goes well in the next 48 hours.

In other Leeds United news, Fabio Capello has made a huge claim about Kalvin Phillips and Andrea Pirlo.