Leeds United News has the latest exclusive information on Joel Piroe, having fallen down Daniel Farke’s pecking order recently.
Leeds United have a new-look attack now, with Joel Piroe having started 36 of the club’s 46 league games in the Championship last term. His availability was fantastic and consistent.
Despite a barren run in front of goal, Piroe ended up as the golden boot winner with 19 goals. The 26-year-old also notched seven assists for Leeds under Daniel Farke’s tutelage.
In fact, his exploits meant Leeds fans were backing Piroe to step up to the top flight. However, injuries and form have allowed others their chance. Farke adores Piroe’s finishing ability but he is not the same type of profile as his competition.
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Joel Piroe’s transfer situation ahead of January
Piroe’s place in the pecking order was questioned in the summer, with numerous other strikers looked at. However, he started against Arsenal and Everton for the opening games.
Prior to that, Piroe spent the off season with Ao Tanaka but neither player has started in the last five league games. The forward looks like having a tough task on his hands to reclaim his spot, barring injuries.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha can lead the line and pin the opposition. It leaves the Dutch forward in a difficult position but he scored 73 goals in the last four Championship seasons.
Piroe had other transfer interest he turned down this summer but it begs the question of whether there could be second tier interest, be that permanently or on loan. He is under contract at Elland Road until 2027.
Leeds United News asked our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey about his situation ahead of January. He said: “It depends what Leeds then bring in. It’s a squad game and they don’t want to be caught short.
“I get that he will want to play more, but how would allowing Piroe to leave benefit Leeds? I guess there’s a chance, but I’d be pretty amazed if he did leave in January.”
But players want to play, and Bailey admitted as much regarding Piroe’s entourage, saying: “Clearly, his agent is going to be talking to clubs now and working on it [if his position in the pecking order doesn’t change].
“Let’s see what happens. He clearly wants to be playing, as most players do.”
However, a player with his reputation in the Championship is surely one who attracts suitors? With so many needing goals and output, which he brings to the table.
Graham Smyth’s view of Joel Piroe’s transfer situation
He is clearly a talented player, as Dutch icon Patrick Kluivert loves Piroe. However, the 26-year-old is also much more than that, with Piroe having hidden talents away from football.
But in terms of regular football, Graham Smyth is surprised Piroe remained at Leeds. He said: “You know, by and large, they spent 100 million. I went into the summer thinking they might spend a bit more, but I thought they would sell.
“I thought we’d see the departure of a Gruev or maybe even Piroe. I certainly thought [Illan] Meslier would go.
“The club’s defence, I suppose, to not selling some players will be that fans and people like me, the players that we want them to sell are the players that would probably be hardest to sell.
“You know, you look at Meslier, you think, is a club going to give him the wage that he’s on at Leeds? Given what’s happened over the last two, three seasons, given what happened last season?”
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