Leeds United will sign Junior Firpo from Barcelona – Fabrizio Romano
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Leeds United will sign Barcelona defender Junior Firpo this summer for an initial £12.9million.
The world-renowned transfer guru made the claim on his personal Twitter profile on Monday evening, after a day of whirlwind speculation.
He wrote: “Leeds are set to sign Junior Firpo from Barcelona, confirmed. The agreement will be completed for €15million (£12.9million) plus add ons, final details then deal done.”
Exciting
It’s been no secret that we have needed to strengthen at left-back with Ezgjan Alioski’s contract expiring on Wednesday (June 30), and no indication of whether he will agree to extend his stay with the Whites.
But even if the North Macedonia international does pen fresh terms at Elland Road, we still need to add another option, and potentially an upgrade on the 29-year-old.
Alioski is not even a natural full-back, as he signed as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Firpo may not be the most complete defender with his tendencies also to attack, but he is much more at home at left-back than Alioski, and it was his performances there that attracted Barcelona to part ways with a significant sum of money to prise him from Real Betis in 2019.
Events may not have transpired as he wanted in Barcelona, but there is no great shame in that as Jordi Alba, one of the undisputed best left-backs of modern history, was preferred in his place.
That, plus the requirement of the cash-stricken La Lig giants to sell this summer, has paved the way for us to complete this deal.
At £12.9million, it’s a low-risk bargain.
We’re confident that Marcelo Bielsa can weave his magic on the 24-year-old and turn him into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.
He’s certainly got the physical and technical attributes to be a success in West Yorkshire, now it’s up to him to prove it.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to complete the signing of this £23.2milion ace.