Junior Firpo’s future at Leeds United remains in huge doubt and it is unlikely supporters will get any answers until Leeds publish this season’s annual retained list.
It is now six weeks before Firpo’s contract expires on June 30. Many Leeds fans are keen to see Firpo sign on the dotted line, but as the expiry date grows closer, the chances of a new contract for Firpo lessen.
Firpo is not short of interest, either. The former Barcelona man has been linked with a return to the Nou Camp, while some reports say Firpo is close to rejoining Betis. Turkish side Besiktas were keen in January.
It is not just fans that want him to stay at Elland Road, either. Largie Ramazani urged Leeds to hand Firpo a deal in the midst of promotion celebrations, while Firpo told Paraag Marathe to give him a contract.
What is ‘widely anticipated’ will now happen with Junior Firpo
He’s not the only one to see his contract end in six weeks’ time. Sam Byram finds himself in the same contractual position and similarly, will want to stay – but Leeds may prefer not to offer him a deal either.
The same goes for Josuha Guilavogui, who of the three is likeliest to leave. Now, The Mail report that it is ‘widely anticipated’ that Firpo will rejoin Betis, who reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
It will leave Leeds with a gaping hole on the left side of defence, especially if Byram also departs. Isaac Schmidt is a left-footed right-back with Daniel Farke yet to trust the Switzerland international in defence.
The left-backs that have been linked with Leeds United so far
Clearly, the left side of defence is now a priority with Firpo expected to go. Max Wober is expected to leave Leeds this summer and while he has played as a left-back, he is naturally a centre-back.
The same goes for Pascal Struijk. So, Leeds need a left-back and Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas is the latest name to be linked with Elland Road. Tottenham’s Ben Davies is also a long-standing Leeds target.
Others like Kyle Walker-Peters, Vladimir Coufal and Max Aarons are right-backs capable of playing on the left. There is one common denominator, they have all played plenty of games in the Premier League.
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