If there is one Leeds United player to have suffered from the club’s promotion to the Premier League, it is Joel Piroe. The striker is hardly getting a look in, and Simon Rix has delivered his verdict.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2023 from Swansea, Piroe has been largely the first choice. There have been spells in which the Dutchman spent a game or two on the bench, but was mostly first pick.
Bought for £16m from Swansea, Piroe had a hand in 43 goals during Leeds’ two years in the second tier of English football. Last season, Piroe scored 19 goals and it won him the Championship golden boot.
But doubts have always circled Piroe. Farke said Piroe was the league’s best finisher last season, but he has been afforded just two Premier League starts this season, coming against Everton and then Arsenal.
Simon Rix performs live with Kaiser Chiefs on stage at the
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Simon Rix is stunned that Leeds didn’t cash in on Joel Piroe
Since starting against Arsenal and Everton, Piroe has only managed substitute appearances against Spurs and Burnley. Despite Leeds needing a goal against Brighton on Saturday, Piroe remained on the bench.
Speaking to the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, Kaizer Chiefs guitarist and Leeds fan Simon Rix says he cannot believe Leeds didn’t sell Piroe. He reckons that if Leeds did sell him, he could cost a huge £15m.
“I can’t believe they didn’t sell him. I guess if they thought they were going to play him, fine. But he’s got value, even if we kind of forced a sale a little bit, he’s got to be worth, I don’t know, £15m or something.
Leeds United forward Joel Piroe
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“That might have been the difference in getting another player. He’s a very expensive asset to just sit on the bench all season, with Nmecha coming on before him,” Rix added, when discussing Piroe this week.
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A fee of £15m for Piroe would be a surprise, but not unrealistic given the difficulties of signing players in January. It would see Leeds rake in the same fee they will eventually pay for Sean Longstaff, after add-ons.
What are the reports surrounding Joel Piroe’s Leeds future?
Recently, Beren Cross made the point that given Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha’s injury issues in the past, Piroe is unlikely to be allowed to leave when the January window opens in two months.
However, LeedsUnited.News understands Piroe’s agent is putting in the groundwork ahead of a possible move in case he is told he does need to leave. Leeds sit close to the PSR border going into January.
If the club want to make any additions in January, then sales need to be made. Given Piroe is now two and a half years into a four-year contract at Leeds, any fee above £6m would be profit in the eyes of PSR.