Leeds priced Ajax out of summer deal to sign Joel Piroe before West Ham move
Leeds United seemingly forced Joel Piroe to join West Ham United this summer.
Ajax were interested in the Suriname international and the player was also open to the move.
It was the Whites' demands that put the Eredivisie giants off being able to get a deal over the line for him.
West Ham eventually agreed to Piroe's valuation at Elland Road, as Daniel Farke deemed him surplus to requirements.
The Hammers have signed the 27-year-old on a season-long loan and the deal includes an obligation to buy.
Instead of playing in the Dutch top flight, the striker is tasked with bringing the Hammers back to the Premier League after relegation last season.
What Joel Piroe has said about Leeds United exit
Leeds could make around £12million from Piroe's sale if he joins West Ham permanently.
The summer could've been completely different for the centre-forward had Ajax met the Whites' demands.
After listening to technical director Jordi Cruyff about the Eredivisie club's project, the former Swansea ace was excited about the prospect of joining them.
In the end, the Dutch club walked away from a possible deal after being priced out by the West Yorkshire outfit.
Speaking to Ajax Showtime on 2 September, Piroe said, "Jordi had already contacted us. Ajax was a serious candidate for me in that regard.
"What you also gathered: they were really putting together a new team and they wanted to sign me as a striker as well... I felt a sense of confidence.
"On the other hand, I also thought: if you can bring Ajax back to what they were a few years ago, that would be great. That is certainly an ambition.
"At that moment, they thought €15m was too much. Back then, they still had to get rid of Weghorst and other strikers."
One regret Daniel Farke may have at Elland Road after exciting transfer window
Leeds have made some quality additions to the starting lineup, with James Trafford arguably the most important upgrade.
The former Manchester City goalkeeper certainly can be England's next number one.
Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and Jean-Matteo Bahoya have also undoubtedly considerably strengthened the West Yorkshire outfit's squad.
While the defence and midfield look balanced, Farke may have slight concerns about his number nine positions.
If Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha pick up injuries, the German manager doesn't have another natural striker to rely on.
It would've made sense for the Peacocks to replace Piroe, but overall, the transfer window was encouraging for fans in LS11.