Leeds United can finally get rid of Junior Firpo for good once FIFA red tape is lifted
Leeds United may finally see an opportunity to let go of Junior Firpo on a permanent basis if they can bring Derby County left-back Archie Brown to Elland Road in the summer.
According to the Daily Mail [13 December], Leeds hold an interest in Brown but must wait until the summer as FIFA rules state he cannot play for more than two clubs in a single season, having already appeared for Lausanne and Gent this year.
Once the red tape is lifted come the end of the season, the Yorkshire club will be free to make their move for the 21-year-old, which will give them sufficient depth to let Firpo leave.
Firpo has made just three appearances so far this season in a campaign which has been shrouded by injuries, and given his reported high wages and the potential opportunity to sell for a decent return, Leeds should be looking to move him on quickly.
Spanish news outlet Foot Mercato reported on 28 November that Firpo is keen to leave Elland Road and return to his former club Real Betis, where another Leeds man Marc Roca is currently on loan, but he may need to wait until the summer.
If Leeds have identified Brown as their first-choice left-back in the transfer market, with Sam Byram’s injury issues and Firpo widely expected to leave, all movement on this front will have to wait until he is eligible to sign.
Because of the FIFA rule, it may mean Firpo is delayed in leaving the club, which could have longer-term repercussions on his transfer value or injury status if he continues to struggle for fitness as he has done so far this year.
Since they were relegated from the Premier League, Firpo is one of the players everybody expected to see leave Elland Road, and while it has taken longer than it did for a number of other players, it looks like the blocks may finally fall in place to make it happen.
In other Leeds United news, a Sky Sports host has mooted a possible move for one Leeds forward.