Graham Smyth believes Joel Piroe might be moved this summer if Leeds United can break even on the former Swansea City striker.
According to BBC Sport, Leeds signed the 24-year-old forward for up to £10 million last summer, and he has since been an important member of Daniel Farke’s side, scoring 14 goals in 49 games.
Due to missing out on promotion to the Premier League, the Whites must raise £100 million in player sales to avoid financial penalties, and Smyth feels Piroe might be sacrificed. [Daily Mail].
On Wednesday (29 May), he told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “His goals were essential in the first half of the season, and he will score a few more.
“But his job needs to be fully developed and defined in the summer if his presence at Leeds is to be meaningful. A clever early gamble on a sale if Leeds received an offer that cleared the slate.”
Could Leeds United cut ties with Joel Piroe this summer?
Piroe’s debut season at Elland Road has received mixed reactions from supporters, with performances lagging in the latter few weeks of the Championship season.
Before the play-offs began, he had only scored three goals in his previous 21 games in all competitions and had lost his place in the starting lineup to Patrick Bamford.
However, due to Bamford’s injury, Daniel Farke was forced to pair Piroe with Georginio Rutter, with both players struggling for goals, however both scored in the 4-0 victory over Norwich City.
Piroe is one of several notable players linked with a move away from Elland Road due to the club’s current financial predicament, along with Crysencio Summerville, Rutter, Archie Gray, and Wilfried Gnonto.
Those players will be regarded as far more vital by Leeds fans than Piroe, therefore if the club can generate a significant sum of money through the sale of the Dutchman, many will jump at the opportunity.
