Rob Davies
Leeds United are not in the race – or rather the double marathon – to sign Swansea forward Joel Piroe according to the Sun’s Alan Nixon.
Yet another summer has been dominated by speculation around one of the club’s star players and it doesn’t look to be coming to a conclusion any time soon.
If Nixon’s information is indeed true – insert analogies of a faulty clock etc – then that seemingly leaves the transfer tussle between Leicester City and Southampton.
But for those two perhaps money in is required before taking the plunge on Piroe with Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest and both Che Adams and James Ward-Prowse expected to leave Southampton.
As we move closer towards the start of the season and it still seeming inconceivable that we would keep a player of that value who could depart on a free next summer, it seems just a matter of time until the club folds on its asking price.
First we were told that ยฃ20m was the required fee then in recent days it seems more around the ยฃ15m mark. Truth be told it would be silly to not accept anything over the ยฃ10m mark, especially if the matter can be resolved soon.
Funds from that deal will be very useful for Paul Watson and Michael Duff in further strengthening of the squad this summer with a number of positions in real need of reinforcement.
A left wing back is one of the major priorities, perhaps a centre midfielder with the fitness of Joe Allen and Liam Walsh in question, another wideman, a goalkeeper, perhaps a centre half and then a Piroe replacement before the window slams shut.
For all involved, the saga around Piroe has been going on for some time and for all involved a quick conclusion would be the best outcome for all.
The club is fully aware that the player will not sign a new deal and we should ensure we get the best money in the next week, say our thanks and move on.
Easier said than done though…
Leeds will not pay ยฃ15 million for a top striker, Newcastle owners will pay for good football player, these Americans will not use there money to buy anyone, they have to sell first. Where do we get these owners from, they know nothing about English football.
no l think Piroe should not be sold for less than the valuation. These clubs hope Piroe will start moaning as a lot of players do, to make it inevitable he is sold. Piroe won’t do that because he’s happy here and is really looking to play every game not compete with other forwards at other Championship clubs and possibly have limited game time. The only way l can see it happening is if the teams interested stump up the cash. Selling on the cheap is a bad idea, and it seems the club are prepared to keep Piroe. That to me shows ambition. Selling on the cheap implies a desperate cash flow situation, but l think the new regime aren’t quite as cash strapped. We shall see if Nottingham Forest come back with serious intention. They can deffo meet the asking price.
What’s happened to the supposed interest from Atalanta? If Man Utd sign Hojlund, Atalanta could sign Piroe for a quarter or a third of the money they receive from Utd.
He should be looking to move upwards not a championship club.The fact theres no top division interest means sideways move.
Them bones them bones hem, dry bones
If Gyรถkeres with a year left goes for ยฃ19m, why should we sell Piroe on the cheap ?
A new regime? Where did that come from. These are the monkeys at .com, the organ grinders still pull the strings from the USA. We are missing targets is that new? Any money recieved in selling 80% will be channeled back to the States. Sorry nothing new, same old tripe. . Next level?