Leeds United in ‘awkward’ Joel Piroe situation as ‘irresistible’ offer mooted
Leeds United are at a bit of a standstill over Joel Piroe’s future, but it could be resolved in the coming days.
Daniel Farke is still after new additions at Leeds this month, but he knows that the 49ers cannot splash their cash willy-nilly.
The Whites already announced the signing of Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton, but the transfer further highlighted a glaring issue that Paraag Marathe and Co. face.
Leeds are up against Profit and Sustainability Rules in January, and may have to sell assets like Piroe to make way for permanent acquisitions.
However, Piroe reportedly doesn’t want to leave Leeds, which now leaves the Whites in a tricky predicament for more than one reason.
Joel Piroe may only leave Leeds if he has too good an offer to turn down
Piroe finished as the Championship’s top goal-scorer last campaign, but hasn’t been able to find his feet in England’s top flight.
The Dutchman could be replaced as a result of this, with Leeds looking at the potential of signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves.
But given the Whites’ PSR issues, it doesn’t seem possible for Leeds to submit a £40million bid without the sale of Piroe.
- Piroe scored 19 goals in the Championship last season
- He also picked up seven assists
- Piroe has scored 74 goals in the Championship throughout his career
Writing for Leeds Live, Isaac Johnson explained the situation with Piroe and how it’s hard for the Whites to simply hound the striker out of LS11.
Johnson wrote: “Given the interest in him, the natural inclination would be to look at Piroe as a sellable asset and offload him to welcome in a Strand Larsen or another attacking arrival. Leeds are in a bit of an awkward position.
“It is right that Piroe should not be hounded out of Elland Road this month, but also given that it is no guarantee Leeds will indeed get another permanent striker in. The highest chance of Piroe going, it seems, is if an irresistible opportunity does fall his way.”
The interest in Strand Larsen will also raise eyebrows, particularly because of his stats with bottom-of-the-league Wolves this campaign.
- Read more: 49ers idiocy on full display at Leeds if what’s being said about Jaka Bijol’s future is true
Why Piroe’s future is unofficially done
Piroe started for Leeds in their first Premier League game of the season against Everton, but his game time has slowly faded away ever since.
Lukas Nmecha has been out injured recently, and even before the German’s return to fitness, Piroe couldn’t get in the team.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor, who have played just behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top.
| Player | Games | Goals |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | 20 | 9 |
| Brenden Aaronson | 21 | 4 |
| Noah Okafor | 19 | 2 |
| Lukas Nmecha | 19 | 5 |
Leeds don’t have many sellable assets apart from their crucial regular starters, which means Piroe’s exit is what the Whites want.
The Dutchman needs to read the room and do what’s best for his own career, and go prove himself at another club.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.