Leeds United chiefs laugh at Celtic amid ‘ridiculous’ Joel Piroe transfer latest
Joel Piroe has been linked with a move to Celtic over the past week.
Celtic have reportedly held talks over a deal for Piroe, who has always looked likely to leave Leeds this month.
Piroe is understood to want to stay and fight for his place at Elland Road beyond this winter, but he’s so far been unable make much of an impression on Daniel Farke‘s starting XI in the Premier League.
The Dutchman has fallen victim to the excellent form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as well as the arrival of Lukas Nmecha, whilst Leeds’ signing of Facundo Buonanotte isn’t helping his chances either.
Celtic interest in Joel Piroe laughed off as ‘ridiculous’
Leeds chiefs are said to have been surprised by Celtic’s interest in Piroe, and have opted not to take negotiations any further with the Scottish giants.
Their surprise didn’t arise from the fact that Celtic were keen on Piroe, as the 26-year-old topped the Championship’s scoring charts last season with 19 goals, and could be a top signing for the Glaswegians.
Instead, it was due to the fact that Leeds’ 49ers Enterprises owners also own Celtic’s bitter inter-city rivals Rangers, after taking over at Ibrox in the summer of last year.
As such, they have a vested interest in making sure that Rangers become the dominant force in the city once again, and with a three-way title fight involving Hearts, Rangers and Celtic ongoing, strengthening the Greens’ chances isn’t on their agenda.
In any case, Celtic appear to have already moved to secure Piroe’s alternative, as they are understood to be on the verge of confirming the signing of Tomas Cvancara from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Wednesday’s print edition of the Daily Record provides further context from the Leeds end on Celtic’s attempted move for Piroe.
“Leeds’ owners have let it be known they laughed out an attempt to take Joel Piroe,” they write.
“Given that United’s chairman Paraag Marathe also sits on the board at Ibrox, this one sounds too ridiculous to be true.”
What’s next for Leeds forward Piroe?
Celtic aren’t the only team to seemingly fail in their pursuit of Piroe’s signature this winter.
It’s reported that Piroe has rejected moves to Middlesbrough and Leicester as well as other clubs, as he looks to ensure his next destination is the right one if he is to leave West Yorkshire.
Glasgow could still be an option for him, as Rangers and Danny Rohl are known to be looking for a centre-forward this month, and given the connections between the two clubs, that could make a lot of sense.
Perhaps a return to his former club PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands could be on the cards too, as talismanic striker Ricardo Pepi is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken arm on 10 January.
A Premier League move looks unlikely unless it’s perhaps to one of the bottom three, but there would obviously be question marks over whether any of Wolves, Burnley or West Ham might interest him if they came knocking.
Or, Leeds may well decide to grant him his wishes to stay and fight for a place, as outside of Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, Farke doesn’t have any other natural centre-forwards to choose from.
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