Barcelona offered the chance to sign £13m Leeds United player in sudden development

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have numerous players who will be leaving the club this summer, with some departing upon the expiry of their contracts and others via a loan or permanent transfer.

As good as Leeds United have been this season, not every player will cut it at Premier League level. The 49ers and Daniel Farke have to have a degree of ruthlessness in terms of their approach to recruitment.

That being said, Leeds have promotion heroes who many supporters won’t want to say farewell to. A number of players made David Prutton’s Championship team of the Season, including Junior Firpo.

It is now just under six weeks before Firpo’s contract at Elland Road expires on June 30 and Firpo is likely to be on a released list with it widely anticipated the Leeds left-back will depart for Real Betis. However, there could be another twist yet.

• READ MORE: Leeds United hero Archie Gray has just done something incredible alongside Aaron Lennon at just 19 years old

Junior Firpo’s Leeds United future takes another twist

The Dominican Republic international defender’s Leeds career is uncertain and it has been for a while ever since Firpo’s agents said staying with Leeds was ‘unlikely’. However, following the aftermath of an incredible title parade, Firpo sent a message to Paraag Marathe regarding a new contract.

Nothing has materialised as of yet, with Everton, West Ham, and Crystal Palace all linked to Firpo in the midst of Largie Ramazani urging Leeds to hand Firpo a deal.

Firpo believes Leeds fans are the best but that may not be enough to retain his services if either he or the club believe a parting of ways is necessary. The chances of that are growing ever more likely and now other clubs are reportedly in the race.

Saturday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport has outlined that Lazio, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid could be options for the former FC Barcelona left-back in the summer transfer window.

The report states Lazio’s Sporting Director Angelo Mariano Fabiani met with Firpo’s agent and that he has been offered to the Serie A giants. Not only that, but Milan and Atleti are also in the race to sign the player.

However, the most eye-catching development is that he could also make a sensational return to Barcelona four years after his £13 million Leeds switch as he continues to find himself “collecting offers” from all over Europe.

Firpo is also reported to be open to making the switch to Italy but no final decision has been made and it may depend on the futures of other defenders at Lazio, including Nuno Tavares on loan from Arsenal.

• READ MORE: Graham Smyth issues concerning Leeds United transfer claim with 49ers set to make ‘big’ decision

Firpo’s Leeds United career stats – goals, assists, and yellow cards

Recently, Firpo described Leeds as his second home. He has had a magnificent season with Leeds and the Leeds faithful now love him but there are doubts over his Premier League credentials. Difficult seasons in the top flight cannot be forgotten, in spite of impressive years in the Championship.

Leeds need to consider more of an all-round profile at left-back or a more defensively dependable player to free up Jayden Bogle to bomb on down the right-hand side. Firpo is far more of an attack-minded full-back and the balance may not work for a team eyeing safety.

As a squad player, there is plenty to be said of retaining him for continuity. But his Leeds career can be summarised well by how he fared in the two years in each division. His disciplinary and injury record also have to be concerns, with his availability often limited by those things.