Leeds United now have ‘growing hope’ of selling Junior Firpo in January
Leeds United have “growing hope” that they strike a permanent exit for Junior Firpo in the January transfer window, according to Dean Jones.
The left-back has made just one Championship start this season, largely due to injury, and the Whites are reportedly keen to sell the player signed by Marcelo Bielsa in July 2021.
Former Eurosport journalist Jones – speaking to GiveMeSport (31 December) – suggested left-back is a “weak spot” that manager Daniel Farke will be looking to address, though.
“There’s growing hope that Junior Firpo will leave on a permanent. That’s being looked at along with ones like Marc Roca,” he said.
“So Leeds are definitely looking to open things up a bit in the new year. But I think that the left-back role is one they should really be focusing on at the moment just in case it becomes a weak spot that causes some trouble in the second half of the season.”
Please be true
There was a lot of optimism when Firpo arrived from Barcelona back in July 2021, not least the fact it was exciting to see Leeds in the market to sign players from the Blaugrana.
But, put simply, it just has not worked out for Firpo at Elland Road. He looked woefully out of his depth in the Premier League and was exposed by the pace and physicality of England’s top flight.
Admittedly, injuries have prevented us from seeing if he could have looked more at home in the Championship, but before his untimely injury the position was nailed down by Sam Byram.
Djed Spence and Jamie Shackleton have also filled in there, so it is true that Farke is likely looking for another solution at left-back. But what is for certain is that no one will really shed many tears if Firpo is allowed to depart in January. Let’s just hope it actually comes to fruition.
In other Leeds United news, here is our predicted XI for the Birmingham City fixture.