Sources: Leeds have Joel Piroe transfer plan, Daniel Farke’s intentions clear
Leeds United have no intention of sanctioning the sale of Joel Piroe in January, sources have told Football Insider.
The Dutchman has been on the fringes of the squad since the Whites’ return to the Premier League, but they remain hugely keen to keep hold of him until after the 2 February deadline.
Piroe has found gametime hard to come by at Leeds this season, but sources have suggested that he still has a role to play at Elland Road, despite the recent improvement from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
Daniel Farke is said to have been pleased with the striker’s display in Sunday’s FA Cup victory at Derby County, and he is keen to keep hold of the majority of his squad to avoid sliding back into the relegation scrap.
Joel Piroe’s game-leading stats vs Derby County
Leeds survived a scare to win 3-1 at Derby on Sunday and book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and Piroe was heavily involved in the victory that secured their progression.
The 26-year-old saw a penalty saved just minutes before the hosts hit the front in the first half, but he remained a threat for Leeds as the encounter wore on.
Piroe produced a clever dummy on the edge of the Derby box to help set up Wilfried Gnonto’s equalising goal shortly after half-time, and he came close to scoring a goal of his own on several occasions.
The former Swansea frontman recorded a game-leading four shots on target during his 89 minutes in the action, while one of his seven total efforts at goal also struck the woodwork.
Farke has previously hailed Piroe’s finishing, and Sunday’s display has clearly convinced the German that he still warrants a place in the squad.
Leeds target new forward in January window
Football Insider recently revealed that Leeds are prioritising a new wide forward in the remainder of the January window, with the strength in depth elsewhere in the side deemed to be sufficient at the moment.
The West Yorkshire outfit are yet to add to their group since the window opened on 1 January, but a new winger is likely to be their first port of call in the market before the end of the month.
Dan James’ injury has seen the options reduced for Farke in the wide areas of late, and he is now keen to rectify that with a fresh face.
There have previously been suggestions that a new striker could be targeted in the winter window, but that now looks unlikely given Calvert-Lewin’s form and the stance on Piroe.