Many supporters expected left-back Junior Firpo to depart Leeds United after relegation from the Premier League back in 2022/23, but he has remained a key part of the first-team squad.
The 28-year-old made 29 Championship appearances last campaign, notching eight assists as the Whites fell at the final hurdle, losing in the play-off final during Daniel Farke’s first year at the club.
However, the Dominican international has managed 25 appearances in the ongoing campaign, already bettering his assist tally from the previous season, whilst finding the back of the net on three occasions.
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Firpo has nailed down his starring role at Elland Road over the last couple of months, playing a pivotal role in their hunt to go one better and reach the Premier League after a two-year exile.
Despite his excellent form in Yorkshire, there are doubts over his long-term future at the club, with the latest update potentially disappointing some of the fanbase.
The update on Junior Firpo’s Leeds future
Whilst he’s been a first-team regular for the vast majority of 2024/25, Firpo’s contract with Leeds expires at the end of the season with no new deal on the horizon.
It was confirmed by TEAMtalk earlier this week that the defender has changed agents, with three foreign clubs already in talks to sign him on a pre-contract agreement.
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Their sources have confirmed that it is “increasingly unlikely” to stay at Elland Road beyond this season, with former side Real Betis already interested in signing the 28-year-old.
If he were to depart at the end of the ongoing campaign, it would be a huge loss and one that would massively dent their ambitions of staying in the Premier League should they achieve promotion.
However, they would’ve had a readymade replacement for the Dominican international had they not sold one player who’s thrived away from Yorkshire in recent years.
The ex-Leeds star who would’ve been the perfect Firpo replacement
Leeds has been the home to numerous talented youngsters over the years, as seen with the likes of Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville, who both departed the club for big money last summer.
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Both left in deals that saw the club bank a hefty profit, subsequently aiding Farke in his attempts to invest in the side and making it second time lucky in their quest for promotion.
Another one of the players who should’ve been added to that list is left-back Leif Davis, who departed the Whites back in the summer of 2022 for a fee in the region of just £1m.
The 25-year-old looked as though he could’ve been one for the future, after making his debut for the club during 2018/19, but would remain as a fringe player until 2021/22 when he joined Bournemouth on loan.
He wouldn’t return to Elland Road, moving to Ipswich Town on a permanent basis just a couple of months later - a deal that would be a huge regret given his rise.
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Davis, who’s since been labelled “unbelievable” by journalist Harvey Davies, has notched 34 assists from left-back over the last three seasons, playing a huge role in the Tractor Boys’ back-to-back promotions from League One.
He’s also registered six goals during the same time period, including a magnificent strike against Leicester City in the Premier League earlier this season.
Leif Davis' rise in value since joining Ipswich from Leeds
Month
November 2023
April 2023
October 2023
December 2023
March 2024
May 2024
October 2024
February 2025
Stats via Transfermarkt
As a result of his tremendous performances under Kieran McKenna in recent campaigns, Davis has now been valued at £20m by Transfermarkt, an increase of £19m on the fee they sold him for less than three years ago.
Given his rise and consistent showings, it certainly was a mistake to allow the 25-year-old to depart the club, having the talent to slot straight into the side.
Firpo’s potential departure adds another area for Farke to strengthen in the summer regardless of promotion, with Davis being the perfect player to fill the void had they not offloaded him.
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