Phil SumblerNews hit the public domain yesterday that Leicester City have made their move for Swansea City striker Joel Piroe as they made a relatively early move in the hope that they can secure the services of the striker.
Piroe has scored twenty goals in his two seasons in the Championship and it is clear that Leicester see that kind of record as vital for them to mount a promotion challenge in the coming season as they seek an immediate return to the Premier League.
It is no real secret that Piroe wants a chance in the Premier League but a move to Leicester would be the next best thing. The Foxes are widely tipped to be at the very top of the table next season and whilst it may delay his arrival in the top flight by twelve months another season at this level with the increase in salary that a Leicester move will command could be just what he decides is for him.
There is interest in Piroe in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest in particular said to be watching him but it has also been suggested to us that it is a link born out of laziness with the Steve Cooper and Alan Tate connection. That said a move to Forest would make sense on several layers so certainly not dismissing it but with a large dose of cynicism.
Anyway, back to Leicester. The bid was revealed by Dutch media outlet Eindhovens Dagblad who also added that other clubs from England and Italy are interested (Italian interest in Piroe)
Only last month Piroe told the same outlet “Whether I will stay in Swansea for another year? There is a lot of speculation but it remains to be seen whether something concrete will happen.
“It is nice to hear that clubs are interested. I mainly look at where I can play a lot and continue to take steps as a football player”
The last part is clearly interesting as it tells you that Piroe is not necessarily all about the money and that regular football is as important to him although a nice big pay packet naturally can make a little less game time more acceptable!
Many Swans fans have accepted that there is a high likelihood of Piroe departing this summer with the main question being the level of fee that we can demand for a player who has just twelve months left to run in his contract. Whilst his goal return has been good in the last two seasons all buying clubs will be aware of his contract situation and that the club cannot afford to play too much hard ball on fees and risk losing the striker for nothing in twelve months time.
Realistically that probably leaves a figure at somewhere between maybe £7m and £10m for Piroe which in some recent years may worry fans as to how much of this may go back into the pot for the manager to deal with. However, this summer has already taken a turn where things feel different, appointments feel strong and optimism is growing. With new investors clearly taking a much more active role in the club there could (and should?) be a growing belief that a higher % of any fee may well go back into the transfer budget for Paul Watson to do his work with Michael Duff.
I suspect that right now we have just seen the very early stages of what could rumble on for a few weeks yet. Whilst we are anticipated to being ready to cash in on Piroe it is not something we have to deal with immediately so whilst Leicester have moved quick they haven’t necessarily put us in a position where we have to act quick.
Let’s see what happens next.
