Wales Online say Leeds United beat Borussia Dortmund to the signing of Joel Piroe from Swansea City this week with Dortmund showing late interest – as did other German sides Freiburg and Augsburg.
Piroe, 24, has joined Leeds on a deal until the summer of 2027. Phil Hay reports that Leeds will pay a fee of £10.5m initially, rising to a potential £16m. He finally joins after months of speculation over a transfer.
The report states that the usual contenders such as Everton, Forest, Leicester and Southampton had all shown interest in the ex-PSV man. Atalanta too, after selling Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United.
But Leeds struck a deal for Piroe. Even with interest from Germany emerging in the final days before he chose Leeds – with Dortmund, Augsburg and Freiburg interested. Leeds have done well to get him in.
Leeds beat Dortmund to the signing of Joel Piroe from Swansea
What a signing Piroe is. Wales Online also say that Leeds were interested last summer, making an initial enquiry. So, clearly, a player that Leeds have kept an eye on. Targeting him early, getting a deal done.
It sees Leeds get a no.9 in. Patrick Bamford cannot be relied upon, Mateo Joseph is unproven, injured. Joe Gelhardt prefers the 10 role, Georginio Rutter is seen as more of a wide attacker. Piroe ends that.
He finally fills the void that has been obvious in our first three league games. Willy Gnonto, Gelhardt and Rutter have lined-up as our starting striker in our first four – and only Gelhardt has scored, in the Cup.
His goal? Well it hit him and went in. Piroe is a sensational signing, a real signal of intent and over the coming days it looks as if the Whites will add three or four others before the deadline on September 1.
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