In a message received from a trusted source, Last Word on Football has learned that Leeds United are in a two-horse race with Southampton to sign Swansea City forward Joel Piroe, with an estimated cost of £10-15 million. These reports are supported by an article from Pete O’Rourke, who discovered that Leicester City are keeping a much looser eye on the striker. Piroe has previously been praised for his “clinical” nature, and he fulfils a role Daniel Farke requires in his squad.
Leeds United and Southampton in Two-Horse Race for Joel Piroe
Who is Joel Piroe?
Piroe is a Dutch striker, who has spent the past two seasons at Swansea City. Across his time in the Championship, he’s scored an average of over twenty goals a season, demonstrating an incredibly high standard of play. In a squad that is more creative and better at generating chances, he could have a far greater impact on the division and help a side driving onward towards promotion to the Premier League.
In addition to being a pure striker, the forward provides a high level of creativity. This is primarily through dribbling and working himself into space, but he still has an impeccable eye for a pass. When used in a system as fluid as Daniel Farke’s, Piroe will fit in anywhere across the line.
Watch: Why Joel Piroe is Perfect for Leeds United
Why Leeds United Transfer News is Focusing on Joel Piroe
One of the more obvious areas of weakness for the Whites is at centre-forward. Farke’s side has only scored two goals in three pre-season friendlies, with just a match against Hearts remaining. Whilst chance creation isn’t an issue, finishing these opportunities off is proving somewhat more difficult. Rodrigo is no longer at the club and Patrick Bamford’s form is patchy at best, so recruitment at the top of the pitch is a necessity.
There are some other areas requiring attention, however, with only one dedicated left-back at the club and several centre-backs having left already. Meeting all of these needs may require a lot of investment, potentially diluting the funds available for each individual role. The Dutchman is sure to be a costly investment, but one that seems worthwhile is 49ers Enterprises are striving for promotion.
What Other Players Should Leeds United Fans Keep an Eye Out For?
A lot of the players that Whites supporters need to look out for in this coming season are already at the club. A potential breakout talent is wonderkid Archie Gray, a central midfielder with minimal first-team experience. Whilst he may not have played much football, the seventeen-year-old has grabbed pre-season by the horns and seems incredibly calm and composed for someone coming into his first senior season.
Ian Poveda is another talented player already at Elland Road who took fans by surprise against Nottingham Forest. His role as a number ten was new to him, but he fulfilled it with aplomb and even finished the match with a goal. Plenty of Leeds United’s talent is already at the club, simply waiting for Farke’s effective coaching methods to put it on full display.
Image courtesy of Joe Blackburn, licensed to Last Word on Sports.
