What’s next for Joel Piroe? Leeds striker’s market value, contract situation and who could buy him next
Joel Piroe’s future at Elland Road is one that will be decided in the summer.
Plenty was made of the business, or lack of it in this instance, that Leeds did in the winter transfer window, with Facundo Buonanotte the only first-team arrival.
However, there were also plenty of exit decisions to be made by Daniel Farke at Elland Road, and one of the biggest ones was in regard to Piroe.
Several Championship clubs had shown an interest in signing Piroe, as did various clubs from around Europe, but a failure in any of those moves materialising means that his situation at Elland Road will be high up on the list of priorities for things to sort out in the summer.
And based on the lack of gametime that has been showcased by the below Sofascore graphic, there is only likely to be one outcome.
Joel Piroe’s Leeds United exit is just months away
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been on fire this season, and he is the reason that the majority of Leeds’ attacking concerns have diminished.
However, take him out of the equation, and it’s a different story.
Lukas Nmecha has hardly set the Premier League alight, not that he was expected to, and yet Piroe has still started just four times for the Whites this season.
Both Celtic and Rangers reportedly tried to sign Piroe on loan in the winter, but Farke made it clear that the Dutchman would be going nowhere unless a replacement came in, which, of course, never happened.
For someone who won the Championship’s Golden Boot last season, the dramatic decrease in minutes is certainly surprising, but even more so that the Whites were so reluctant to let him go.
However, that achievement itself will hold Piroe in good standing when it comes to securing a move away from Elland Road, which looks increasingly likely to happen in the summer window, albeit again being dependent on another striker coming in.
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What is likely to be Piroe’s next destination?
Given the form he has showcased in the Championship over his career, there will undoubtedly be interest there if he is to be made available in the summer.
And with just one year left on his deal at Elland Road after the current campaign, it wouldn’t cost an awful amount to prize him away either, with a current market value of £13million, according to Transfermarkt.
However, a move to Rangers may seem the most feasible, for several reasons.
Piroe’s record at Leeds in all competitions.
- 110 appearances
- 33 goals
- 10 assists
Firstly, Piroe would score goals for fun in Scotland and would immediately get minutes in European football.
Secondly, with the 49ers also owning the Glasgow club, it would make plenty of sense for them to sanction that deal to strengthen one of their other projects away from Elland Road.
A loan deal would be perhaps unlikely given his contract situation, but as mentioned above, a cut-price deal would not be beyond the realms of possibility.