Leeds United transfers: Newcastle United and West Ham target offered, new Piroe suitors emerge
The latest transfer talk from Elland Road as Leeds United look to add new signings to their squad during the January transfer window.
A new name has been put to Leeds United as the Whites look to add to their attacking options before the end of the January transfer window.
Wolves and Norway striker Jorgen Strand-Larsen was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United during the summer transfer window as Magpies striker Alexander Isak pushed for a move to Premier League champions Liverpool - but despite reports of a big money bid, he remained at Molineux. There have been further reports suggesting the likes of West Ham and Nottingham Forest are keen to persuade the Premier League’s basement club into a sale during the January transfer window - and they were delivered a mixed message by Wolves manager Rob Edwards earlier this month.
Speaking ahead of a 1-1 draw at Everton, the former Middlesbrough boss said when asked if Strand-Larsen would stay: "I haven't said that. There will be interest in a number of our players I would have thought, especially with the position we're in and we've got some really good players. We're under no pressure to do anything if we don't think it's right for the football club. None of us want to weaken the team in this window or any window going forward. We always want to try to be in a stronger position."
However, reports continue to suggest Strand-Larsen could depart Molineux before the transfer window comes to a close early next month and TeamTalk have now claimed intermediaries have offered the striker to a number of clubs in recent days and have named Leeds as one of those on the list. Newcastle, Spurs, Everton, Forest and West Ham are also said to be ‘keen on a deal’ for the former Celta Vigo man - but there is also a warning no possible suitor has been given ‘the green light’ to actively pursue a deal with Wolves.
Championship interest
There is some promise for Leeds as Wolves are described as ‘open’ to a deal if the offer is right for the club - and the Whites could part finance a deal with a possible sale of Joel Piroe.
The former Swansea City forward scored 19 goals and provided seven assists in 46 league appearances last season and played a key role in the Whites successful push for the Championship title and a return to the Premier League. However, the arrival of former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has limited Piroe’s chances during the first half of the season and he has made just 12 appearances during the campaign, with just four coming as part of Daniel Farke’s starting eleven. Several clubs have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old as TeamTalk have reported Middlesbrough are the latest club to make Leeds aware of their interest.
Speaking recently about his current situation at Elland Road, Piroe told Dutch outlet Voetbal International: “I’m struggling, of course. Dominic Calvert-Lewin arrived last summer and is currently enjoying a period of scoring a huge number of goals. That’s impressive, especially after the years he’s had. You’re both teammates and competitors, and it’s good for the team that he’s performing like this. Thanks in part to him, we’re coming off a seven-match unbeaten run. I’ll have to be patient. I feel like I’m definitely not far off getting more minutes. But it’s sometimes difficult to convince someone to give you more chances. To show that you’re taking the right steps.”
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