No one could accuse Junior Firpo of failing to send a message to Leeds United as the in-form left-back enters the final few months of his contract at Daniel Farke’s Championship title-chasers.
The Spanish press labelled the ex-Barcelona benchwarmer ‘world-class’ at the beginning of March.
Junior Firpo had headed Leeds United level at Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United a couple of days earlier. He would repeat the trick against West Brom soon after.
In fact, since returning from a spell on the sidelines early in 2025, Leeds’ number three has accumulated no fewer than eight goals or assists from 12 starts in his swashbuckling full-back role.
‘World-class’ numbers, if not a ‘world-class’ footballer.
Yet, until Leeds’ fate is sealed, Firpo’s is destined to remain up in the air. Daniel Farke suggested that Firpo’s wages may be too expensive for a club operating on a Championship budget. Promotion is a must, then, if Leeds are to tie down one of their highest earners.
In terms of potential replacements, meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing Wolves’ Feyenoord loanee Hugo Bueno. Though while the Premier League-bound Whites are yet to confirm their intentions regarding Firpo, Wolverhampton Wanderers appear to have come to a decision already with regards to their Vigo-born Spain Under-21 international.
Wolves respond as Leeds United eye Feyenoord loanee Hugo Bueno
According to the Express and Star, Wolves plan to ‘reintegrate’ Hugo Bueno into Vitor Pereira’s team next season. Amid interest in Rayan Ait-Nouri, the 22-year-old Spaniard may be in line for a starting role as well.
And while there is no shortage of interest – Bournemouth have joined Leeds in chasing Bueno as Milos Kerkez weighs up his options – this already has the makings of a ‘non-starter’.
Especially with Ait-Nouri seemingly the left-back most likely to leave Molineux in the coming months.
“Wolves aren’t saying that Ait-Nouri is definitely going to go but there’s a real chance he does,” explains football correspondent Graeme Bailey, speaking to Molineux News. “They’re definitely having conversations about Bueno.
“If Ait-Nouri stays, that’s a different conversation. But I think [Bueno] will be back from what I’m hearing.”
Bueno can be a ‘very good Premier League player’ at Molineux
Like Firpo, Bueno is an attack-minded left-back with a grounding in Spanish football. Though while Leeds £13 million man likes to dart towards the byline and drift centrally in search of chances, Bueno can often be found holding the width while whipping deep crosses into the penalty area.
Bueno has four assists on loan at Dutch giants Feyenoord.
He also made nine Champions League appearances against the likes of AC Milan and Bayern Munich before Feyenoord’s eventual last-16 defeat by Inter.
“Bueno has become important at Feyenoord in a short time,” former De Kuip ace Theo Lucius told Soccer News. “He is one of those guys at the back who remains very calm, both defensively and in the build-up, against any opponent or any pressure.”
“He’s intelligent, comes from an intelligent, good family, and what had attributes where he was going to get the absolutely best out of his ability,” agrees Matt Hobbs, Wolves’ sporting director. “And it just so happens that the best of his ability is a really good footballer.
“A very good Premier League player.”
Wolves will be under no pressure to let Bueno go, with three years remaining on his contract. Furthermore, the Black Country outfit are rumoured to value the 22-year-old at around £20 million.
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