Leeds United and Southampton – a two horse race for striker?

The names of Nottingham Forest and Everton were both missing from reports yesterday that suggested that it was a two horse race now between Leeds United and Southampton for Joel Piroe.

Speculation has been rife all through the close season as to where Piroe may end up when the transfer window closes and Swans boss Michael Duff is anticipating an offer for the striker who scored twice more yesterday as the Swans rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win at Reading.

Yesterday was all about incomings to the Swansea.com Stadium with Michael Duff admitting three medicals – believed to be Carl Rushworth, Harrison Ashby and Kristian Pedersen – were booked in for Monday and late on we had the news that striker Mykola Kukharevych was also a target for the Swans.

Those four arrivals would add multiple options to a squad that Duff has admitted needs strengthening and certainly the arrival of Kukharevych, when added to that of Jerry Yates, prepares for the departure of our top scorer over the past two seasons.

“I anticipate interest because he’s a good player,” Duff told BBC Sport Wales.

“We’ve not had a bid for him so until the club gets a bid for him, we have to crack on like he’s here.

“I’m sure he’s got aspirations to play as high as he can. His attitude has been first class.

“If the club accepts an offer, the club accepts an offer, we’ll move on”.

Earlier on in the day, Last Word on Football had reported that it was just down to Leeds and Southampton to battle for Piroe with interest from Leicester City, said to be cooled.

Leeds’ need for a striker is obvious with the side relegated last season having scored just twice in three pre-season games whilst Southampton are of course managed by former Swans boss Russell Martin who hopes to take Piroe to St Mary’s Stadium.

The Swans are rumoured to want around £15m for Piroe although the longer the window goes on, the longer that resolve will be tested.   Nobody within the club will want to see this go down to the last minute where the price can drop.   With Piroe already indicating there will be no new contract at the club his departure is inevitable so we wait and see which one of his potential suitors show their hands first.