Leeds makes Joel Piroe transfer plan after Rangers latest
Leeds boss Daniel Farke is unlikely to sanction an exit for striker Joel Piroe this month despite reports linking Celtic and Rangers with his signature.
Piroe has struggled for opportunities at Leeds this season despite firing them to the Premier League last term as he won the Championship golden boot with 19 league goals.
The 26-year-old has not started a Premier League match since late August, with no goal contributions in 10 league appearances so far this season.
Reports emerged last week claiming that Celtic were targeting a move for Piroe, but their approach was shrugged off due to Leeds’ shared ownership with arch-rivals Rangers.
Rangers could make a move for Piroe this month, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, but Farke is not set to allow him to depart despite his struggles.
Piroe set for Leeds stay despite Celtic and Rangers talk
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been in fine form up front for Leeds, with nine goals from 20 league appearances as he won December’s Premier League Player of the Month award.
His impressive showings have limited Piroe’s minutes, but he is still seen as a viable option for Farke as they battle to avoid relegation back to the second-tier.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I still think Piroe is a difficult deal to do. Although he’s not been a regular for Leeds this season, I still think he’s still a key member of Daniel Farke’s side.
“He won’t really want to lose him anytime soon, he’ll want to keep him around.
Obviously Leeds are having a good run of form in the Premier League moving further clear of relegation trouble, but Farke won’t want to weaken his squad in case there are any injuries to any of his other attacking players.
“Unless Leeds are to bring in further attacking reinforcements, I think they’ll be quite reluctant to let Piroe go.”
Leeds’ Jorgen Strand Larsen pursuit could still see Piroe depart this month
Piroe may well be keen to stay and fight for minutes at Elland Road, but it is tough to foresee him getting in the starting eleven ahead of Calvert-Lewin anytime soon.
Not only that, but Leeds have been linked with Wolves’ Strand Larsen recently, and have now taken steps to land the striker’s services.
Leeds submitted a £30million bid for Strand Larsen on Friday, and even though it was rejected by the Molineux outfit, they reportedly remain in the market to sign him before 2 February.
News of the bid has seen Leeds fans back Piroe to go to Wolves if Strand Larsen is signed, but the Elland Road board may not want to strengthen a top-flight rival despite their struggles.