‘If the club accepts’: Manager discusses ‘first-class’ £15m man as Leeds make enquiry
Swansea City manager Michael Duff has told Wales Online that he expects interest in striker Joel Piroe over the next few
weeks amid interest from Leeds, Southampton and other clubs – admitting the club could accept a bid for him.
Piroe, 23, has starred for Swansea over the last two years. Joining the Welsh side from PSV Eindhoven, he has since scored
44 goals in 92 games. The report from Wales Online states Swansea have set a price tag for Piroe at £15m.
It is claimed that Leeds, Southampton, Leicester and Serie A side Atalanta are all keen to land the striker. His deal at
Swansea is due to expire in June 2024 – meaning Swansea need to sell in order to bring in some cash for the star.
Failure to do so, and he will go on a free next summer – even potentially signing a pre-contract agreement with a foreign
club from January 1, maybe Atalanta. Swansea boss Duff gave an update on Piroe’s future, when asked.
“We’ve not had a bid so until the club gets a bid, we have to crack on like he’s here. I’m sure he’s got aspirations to play as
high as he can. Attitude is first class. If the club accepts an offer, the club accepts an offer, we’ll move on”.
Michael Duff: Swansea could accept Joel Piroe bid amid Leeds interest
Swansea are holding out for a big fee but as the window grows older, entering the final month, the Welsh side may have to
accept a smaller fee. They cannot let him go on a free, or without sufficient time to replace him this summer.
Leeds could need to move for Piroe quicker than they may have anticipated. We might have been willing to wait until the end
of the window, to get value for money – when Swansea inevitably reduce the asking price. That may change.
Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter both suffered minor injuries in the 1-0 win over Hearts on Sunday, just a week before
we take on Cardiff, our first game of the season. Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt are still options, however.
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Report: Leeds were really keen on loaning Manchester City starlet Guardiola lauded this week
Leeds United were particularly keen on signing Rico Lewis on loan this summer, but Manchester City have rejected more
than a dozen approaches from various clubs for the youngster.
That is according to a report from The Sun on Sunday (30/7; page 65), which notes that the 18-year-old is about to sign a
new long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Rico Lewis enjoyed a breakout season last year, making 23 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s men in all competitions. One of
those came when he played extremely well in City’s 3-1 victory over Leeds at Elland Road just after the World Cup break.
Leeds were particularly keen on Rico Lewis
And it seems that that display may have stuck with the Whites. The Sun on Sunday (30/7; page 65) reports that Leeds were
one of the teams particularly keen on signing Lewis for the campaign.
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Leeds United have the “weakest” squad of all the relegated sides in the Championship this season and could struggle to adapt because, despite their size, they are “crap”, claims Rod Liddle in The Times.
The Whites have already lost a host of last season’s first-team squad, with Rodrigo sold to Al-Rayyan and Max Wober the
most effective of the exodus of loanees, made up of Brenden Aaronson, Robin Koch, Marc Roca, Rasmus Kristensen and
Diego Llorente.
More could yet follow and so far Daniel Farke has only been able to secure Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea and Karl Darlow
from Newcastle in the opposite direction, so it is perhaps no surprise they are “greedily circling” Gustavo Hamer from rivals
Coventry City, who are also tipped for a tough time after already losing one key man in Viktor Gyokeres following their run
to the play-off final.
Liddle claims in The Times on Sunday (30 July): “Leeds, for instance, may have vast support and a certain pedigree, but they
are also crap, which is why they got relegated.
“Of all the sides coming down, the Yorkshiremen have probably the weakest squad of players and it may take them a while to
adjust to the otherwise familiar surroundings of the Championship.
“Of the clubs that narrowly missed out on promotion, Coventry City are likely to be competing without their two most lethal
players.
“Viktor Gyokeres, probably the best natural finisher outside the top division, has already left for Sporting Lisbon and various
Premier League vultures (as well as Leeds) are greedily circling around the excellent Gustavo Hamer.”
Uphill
It could be argued how much some of the names who have left Elland Road already this summer would have contributed
based on their time at the club so far.
But after huge upheaval at the club, including the takeover and the managerial change, the transfer business has been badly
delayed and left Leeds United playing catch up.
Whether they will be “crap” will depend on Farke’s ability to adapt on the fly as his squad inevitably changes between now
and the transfer window closing.
Darlow’s arrival finally provides an answer for a major question in goal should Illan Meslier yet leave as widely expected.
But Wober’s exit is definitely a blow and makes defence a bigger priority than before, with a left-back also wanted for
multiple windows now.
Similarly, a number nine to take the load of Patrick Bamford is yet again a requirement, and more help in central midfield
looks a must after all of Roca, Adam Forshaw and Weston McKennie left, while Tyler Adams’ future is in the balance.
Hamer, 26, would be a very pleasing signing for the Leeds United fanbase as a proven performer in this division who
contributed a combined 21 goals and assists last season.
The Sky Blues will obviously be loath to lose him, but he is said to have failed to sign a contract extension amid transfer
interest this summer, so if he is ready to move he could be gettable, even if it won’t be easy.
Leeds struggling this term is far from a universal opinion, but chances of bouncing back to the top flight at the first go would
certainly be aided if some more signings are made soon, and Hamer wouldn’t go amiss.
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