Leeds United need to add more firepower to their attack, and Troy Parrott is the latest name linked with a move to Elland Road, but that signing may need to be funded by selling a fan favourite.
When Leeds faced Stoke City in the penultimate home game of the 2024/25 Championship season, there was a sense of nervous expectation around Elland Road, as the Whites looked to take a decisive step towards a return to the top flight.
A tidal wave of joy soon washed away any nerves, as Joel Piroe scored four goals in a scarcely believable first half, in a famous 6-0 win for the Whites.
However, seven months on from the day that Elland Road reverberated to the tune of “No Piroe, no party”, that song now sounds more like a warning over Leeds’ Premier League return, as they are mired in a fight for survival.
But with Leeds now linked with a big-money move to sign Troy Parrott, Piroe may have to be the player to leave to make room in the squad for Ireland’s new hero.
Leeds United do not have room to carry Joel Piroe and Troy Parrott in the squad
Daniel Farke could have a difficult decision to make over promotion hero Piroe, as Leeds face a battle to retain their top-flight status.
Although Jeff Stelling urged Farke to start Piroe in Leeds’ next game, in reality, the most likely outcome will be that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line against Villa.
Unfortunately for Piroe, he does not provide Leeds with the all-round contribution Farke needs. In Leeds’ first season in the Championship, Georginio Rutter was used as Leeds’ number nine to lead the press, with Piroe operating primarily as a number 10.
The following season, although Piroe led the line for Leeds, he was surrounded by hard workers, with Brenden Aaronson playing centrally, flanked by Manor Solomon and Dan James.
Parrott would most likely be brought in to play alongside Calvert-Lewin, as opposed to providing direct competition. With Lukas Nmecha also able to play as a wide forward, Parrott’s arrival would mean Piroe’s already limited minutes decreased even further.
Leeds United need to sell to satisfy Premier League PSR Rules
Leeds are reported to have entered talks to sign Parrott in recent days, after he wrote his name into Irish football folklore with a dramatic hat-trick against Hungary.
Despite being linked with a host of names in the summer, Leeds failed in a late deal to sign Harry Wilson in the closing hours of the transfer window to leave Farke short up front.
| 2025/26 season metrics | Troy Parrott – AZ Alkmaar | Joel Piroe – Leeds United |
| Games | 14 | 6 |
| Goals | 13 | 0 |
| Assists | 1 | 0 |
However, with Leeds reported to be close to their PSR limits, it is likely that any deal for Parrott would have to be accompanied by a significant player sale in the January window.
With Piroe likely to command a fee of around £15 million, he would appear to be a logical player to cash in on, with his playing time likely to be reduced further by Parrott’s arrival.
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