Leeds United star Joel Piroe left Sheffield United with egg on their face on Saturday

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It was a bizarre end to the transfer window as Leeds United tried to get deals over the line before the deadline, including a late move for Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer.

Leeds initially made a £13m offer to sign Hamer, before reports claimed that Leeds had made an offer of cash plus Joel Piroe. A bizarre move, given Piroe had only joined Leeds from Swansea for £16m in 2023.

Piroe has struggled to hit the lift-off button since his move to Elland Road. Glimpses, scoring 13 goals last season and only one this time around while often being used in a different position, mostly as a no.10.

His display at West Brom as a 10 caused frustration on social media among Leeds fans. So the pressure was on Piroe and then reports emerged that Leeds had included Piroe in a bid for Blades star Hamer.

• READ MORE: Koln’s sporting director says Leeds target unlikely to sign a new deal

Leeds denied rumours of Piroe-plus-cash bid to sign Hamer

Instantly, Leeds completely denied the rumours of such a bid. This week, Adam Pope says Sheffield United tried to “disrupt” and “unsettle” Piroe by claiming The 49ers had included Piroe in a bid, in retaliation.

The Blades have retaliated to what they believe was Leeds’ attempts to unsettle Hamer with a low offer. In turn, they have replied by aiming to do the same to a Leeds player in the form of the under-fire Piroe.

But Hamer stayed put, and so did Piroe as the transfer window slammed shut. Leeds failed to get a no.10 through the door having been linked with Koln star Dejan Ljubicic and Freiburg attacker Roland Sallai.

Piroe shows Sheffield United’s attempts were entirely fruitless

Sheffield United, in trying to unsettle a Leeds player in retaliation, have shown that Hamer was unsettled by Leeds’ bid. Had Hamer not been tempted by Leeds, Sheffield United surely would not have retaliated.

But Piroe responded in the perfect manner not just to criticism of his form, but that Leeds had supposedly used him in an offer for Hamer. Coming off the bench, he coolly finished Leeds’ second against Hull City.

A lovely finish, ice cool and composed in front of goal and a reminder to all those who doubted him, what he is capable of. Piroe is an asset when Daniel Farke uses the former PSV Eindhoven star as a striker.

Sheffield United’s attempts to unsettle Piroe then, completely pointless. Piroe is incredibly calm, not affected by outside noise and he showed that with his first goal of the season at Elland Road on Saturday.