Daniel Farke answered plenty of his doubters last season by leading Leeds United to a comfortable 14th-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League.
The Leeds boss is now entering the final year of his contract, although talks over a new long-term deal are expected to reach a positive conclusion in the near future.
Farke has been vocal about his desire to see the club strengthen ambitiously this summer as Leeds look to continue their progress. At the same time, chairman Paraag Marathe has stressed the importance of staying financially disciplined and working within the Premier League’s regulations as the club plans for the future.
The Leeds manager wants to strengthen in the forward areas, and that is likely to spell the end of one of the men who played a big role in getting the club promoted last year.
Major transfer decision impacts Joel Piroe
Joel Piroe was the Championship’s top goalscorer in Leeds’ promotion-winning campaign. However, he was a third or fourth choice striker for the Whites last season.
The Dutchman has been heavily linked with a move away from Leeds since the winter window, and he ended the season without scoring a Premier League goal.
His future at Elland Road is uncertain, and according to The Athletic, Leeds are focused on adding to their attack in the summer transfer window.
Leeds’ focus on adding more goals to their squad means Piroe is now all but certain to move on from Elland Road before the end of the summer.
Piroe wants to play more football, and his role is likely to be further reduced if he decides to stay put at Leeds next season.
At 26, he cannot afford one more season of making just two league starts and will leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.
His goalscoring pedigree in the Championship means several clubs would be interested in getting their hands on the forward this summer.
Farke doesn’t trust the forward in the Premier League
Joel Piroe was Farke’s man in the Championship, but once Dominic Calvert-Lewin was up and running, the Dutchman didn’t get another look in the Premier League.
The Leeds boss showed more faith in Lukas Nmecha and even started Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor as second strikers over Piroe last season.
Farke indicated that he didn’t believe the forward has the physicality to thrive in the Premier League despite his ‘world-class’ finishing skills.
With Leeds keen to sign one more striker in the summer, Piroe’s days at Elland Road are numbered.
