The Athletic’s Phil Hay has reported on Twitter that Leeds United have paid an initial £10.5m to sign Joel Piroe from Swansea City – and a deal will climb to a potential £16m if all add-ons are met in the future.
Piroe, 24, became our fifth summer signing on Thursday evening after the club had already agreed deals for Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram and Joe Rodon. It comes after Leeds lacked a proper no.9.
Patrick Bamford and Mateo Joseph remain out injured. Joe Gelhardt has said himself that he prefers the no.10 role, which he played in against West Brom. Daniel Farke intends to use Georginio Rutter out wide.
So, a new striker was needed. A proper no.9. In comes Piroe, who netted 44 goals in 92 games during his first two years at Swansea. This season, he already has two goals in four for Michael Duff’s Swansea.
It is a real signal of intent. Identifying their no.1 striker target and then getting a deal over the line. Hay says Leeds will pay £10.5m up front, £16m in total. Expensive, £1m less than our £17m Raphinha deal.
Phil Hay says Leeds will pay an initial £10.5m to sign Joel Piroe
Piroe is a brilliant signing. But not just that, he is a signal of intent and perhaps a sign that Leeds will now become a sensible club. It is a smart, yet obvious singing to make. One that Leeds needed to get done.
Leeds have been relegated to the Championship, so it makes sense to sign one of the division’s best strikers over the last two seasons – especially, as his contract situation at Swansea made him available.
That is far too normal and sensible for a Leeds United side that has seen Victor Orta run the rule over the last few years. Even if it means Piroe could end up costing the club a fee of £16m over the years.
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