Phil Sumbler
The stories linking Joel Piroe to Leicester have been reported since the end of last year and certainly have gathered momentum over the course of the past few weeks with a large majority of Swansea fans believing that Piroe will be sold in the summer although his final destination is clearly unknown.
However, a local Leicester journalist has said that he believes it to be unlikely that the Foxes will move for Piroe and he believes that they have other priorities in terms of positions that they will look to strengthen in this summer.
Leicester already have Vardy. Iheanacho and Daka on their books in the striking position and the journalist added that the only time he has heard the name of Piroe mentioned is when he has heard it elsewhere.
Speaking to Wales Online, Jordan Blackwell from Leicestershire Live said “It’s a really strange one in terms of how the links have persisted because a striker isn’t really the priority. From what I understand they’ve got three priorities; a centre-back, a box-to-box midfielder and a right-sided winger. Then there’s another two priorities, which are a physical midfielder and Ademola Lookman.
“But a right-sided winger is the main one at the moment. Since they sold Riyad Mahrez, they’ve struggled to fill his boots, really. Brennan Johnson is one they might consider, but that depends on whether Forest get promotion, of course. But there’s nothing really to suggest they’d be looking at Piroe or indeed any other striker.
“I don’t personally feel like they would be looking beyond Vardy just yet. In any case, they’ve kind of done it with Daka. Whenever I’ve spoken to folks about transfers, the names that have cropped up are names in the right wing position. The only time I’ve heard Piroe’s name is when I’ve heard it elsewhere.
“It depends how much money they make, how much they spend on the first three priorities I mentioned. So, with them having to base their transfer business on sales, you can understand why they’re not going to throw £15m or whatever at a player in the Championship they hope might come good.
“Besides, Rodgers has basically said that Leicester haven’t been able to defend set-pieces. Even if they’d been able to defend set-pieces to a mediocre standard, they might have made Europe and would have probably finished above Manchester United. So they’re solving that issue. They finished fifth-highest scorers, so goals are not really the problem.
“As I said. I think it’s very unlikely they’d move for someone like Piroe at this moment in time.”
Whatever happens with Leicester the strong belief is that Piroe will still be sold this summer, the Swans have pretty much hinted at that through various comments around budgets and the hope remains that whatever happens it happens early in the window rather than dragging on through the summer as we have seen with transfer sagas of the past.
The outcome of Joel Piroe’s future not just has a big impact on the player but the overall plans for Russell Martin this summer and what kind of budget he will have available to cover the purchases that he needs.
However, for this one it does suggest that whilst Leicester may have an interest a move to this part of the East Midlands this summer does seem unlikely although there has been more than one rumour to suggest another part of the East Midlands is not to be completely ruled out although some of that could depend on events next weekend.
Time will tell.
