Leeds United could accelerate Joel Piroe exit but Daniel Farke needs one thing to happen
Joel Piroe’s Leeds United future is hanging in the balance, and it’s possible the Dutchman could depart during the January transfer window.
Piroe fired Leeds to the Premier League with 19 Championship goals last term, but since then, he has been on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s plans.
The emergence of Leeds’ goal-scoring machine Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as well as the additions of Noah Okafor and Lukas Nmecha, have seen Piroe play just 203 minutes in the top-flight.
Unsurprisingly, with the former Swansea City striker struggling for game time at Elland Road, there is a chance he could depart this month.
Leeds will sell Joel Piroe if offer is right
MOT Leeds News revealed on January 2 that Middlesbrough are readying an approach for Piroe to boost their chances of reaching the Premier League.
A switch to the Championship feels like a possible destination for the former Netherlands under-20 international, and the Yorkshire Evening Post have revealed how Farke feels about selling his striker.
| Joel Piroe’s Leeds record |
| 108 appearances |
| 33 goals |
| 10 assists |
The report claims that Leeds ‘aren’t pushing’ to sell Piroe this month, although the right ‘offers’ could change their stance and ultimately see him exit Elland Road after two-and-a-half years.
Leeds are prioritising a forward signing this month, so if a club does present a tempting bid for their exit-linked striker, then they may sell to raise enough funds.
Piroe could welcome a return to the Championship and a guarantee of regular starts, having plundered 73 goals in 179 second-tier appearances previously.
What Daniel Farke has said about Piroe’s future
Whilst the 26-year-old has been drip-fed minutes from the bench – 13 to be precise in his last seven matches – Farke still praised Piroe as ‘world-class’ and claimed he’s a part of his plans.
“His finishing is world-class,” Farke said on December 18. “He’s such a great character. We are a promoted side and we have to play to the strength of our players.
“His finishing skills at this level are outstanding. When we are dominant or need a goal, I’m sure I can pick him because he’s outstanding in these terms.
“When we’re not dominant in the game, sometimes you need more pace or physicality. Right now, there are not many games when we can be dominant. But he’s still definitely in my plans.”
Piroe may feel differently about what Farke has said, as he spends most of the time warming the bench. So, as the January window progresses, he could push to leave West Yorkshire.