Rabiu AminuJoel Piroe linked with shock Leeds United exit – ‘With the World Cup in mind…’ Leeds United approach the January transfer window with a sharper focus, targeting improvements in attack as they look to strengthen their push for Premier League survival. However, the question marks around Joel Piroe’s future are not going away.
A recent upturn in form has steadied the campaign and eased some of the immediate pressure on Daniel Farke, although there are still question marks over certain areas of the squad heading into the second half of the season.
However, Daniel Farke has made it clear that he is not expecting any departures from his first team squad, despite the confusion around Piroe’s future at Elland Road.
The Dutchman started in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Derby County on Sunday. However, his missed penalty earned Farke’s ire, and there are now suggestions he could return to the Netherlands in January.
Dutch journalist claims Joel Piroe could leave Leeds in January De Telegraaf journalist Jeroen Kapteijns has claimed that PSV Eindhoven’s need for a new attacker could lead them towards a move for Piroe in the winter window.
He indicated that if the Dutchman has to make the World Cup squad, he needs to play more at Leeds, and a move away in January could appeal to him.
However, the Dutch journalist insisted that Piro still wants to succeed at Leeds, and while Leeds may want to explore selling him, they would prefer to keep the striker for now.
Jeroen Kapteijns was quoted as saying by Voetbal Primeur: “Last year, it was the end of January, and Pepi injured his knee. It ended up being Lucas Perez. That wasn’t a success. Hopefully, they’ll have more success with their stopgap measure now, because that’s what it is, of course.
“One name that was also mentioned is Piroe, who is obviously playing less at Leeds United. With the World Cup in mind, it might be beneficial for him to play a bit more for those play-off matches.“
But he [Piroe] is settling in very well at Leeds United, where he’s had some fantastic years. As things stand now, Piroe primarily wants to keep competing at Leeds.
“And Leeds isn’t necessarily keen to lose him. But they’ll explore those options.”
Farke would want a replacement for Farke even if he is not playing well Farke has often termed Piroe the ‘best finisher’ in the Premier League squad. However, he feels the striker does not have the physicality to be a starter in the Premier League.
Piroe is probably fourth choice in the pecking order of attackers in the Leeds squad, and has not started a Premier League game for months.
However, he is still an option on the bench, who is often used in games, and Farke would not want to lose that extra option in his squad.
He would want a replacement for the Dutchman, even if he is not playing much. Leeds may not have the funds to bring in an adequate striker to replace Piroe in the squad.
The Dutchman is also not angling for a move and is only likely to explore his options to leave Leeds in the summer transfer window.
Mustapha Sheidu
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