£16m Leeds United star snubs Elland Road exit in January – 49ers must stamp their authority

Leeds United remain active in the January transfer window with only a week left before the deadline, as they look to add further reinforcements to their squad.

Operating under tight financial constraints, the Whites have already bolstered their attacking options by bringing in Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton after he turned down the same move last summer.

Leeds are also assessing striker targets and are believed to be working on a deal for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, which could yet become a club-record signing this winter.

However, Leeds need a major sale to sign the Norwegian, and the club are worried that Joel Piroe could scupper their plans towards the end of the window.

Joel Piroe rejects move away from Leeds United

Piroe has made it clear that he does not want to leave Leeds in the winter window. He would be more open to a transfer next summer.

He is not playing much at Leeds this season, but that has not deterred him from wanting to stay and score that elusive first Premier League goal of his career.

The Dutchman has rejected a few approaches from the Championship, and it seems that stance is unlikely to change before the end of the window.

According to Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Ipswich Town tabled a bid to sign the Leeds striker on a permanent deal in the ongoing transfer window.

Piroe considered the offer, but it has been claimed that he is not interested in returning to the Championship and rejected the offer from Ipswich.

With less than a week left in the window, a deal to take Piroe to Ipswich is off the table, and he won’t be playing in the second tier of English football this season.

The 49ers may have to force the issue with Piroe

If Piroe wanted any hint about his standing in the squad, Leeds manager Daniel Farke is providing enough clues that he is not part of his plans moving forward.

The Dutchman has remained an unused substitute in their last three Premier League games and has made just four substitute appearances since the end of November.

Strand Larsen is keen on a move to Leeds, and the club are pushing to sign him despite Wolves rejecting their opening bid for the Norwegian striker.

However, Leeds need to sell Piroe if they want to sign a new striker, and the Dutchman has continued to reject offers to leave Elland Road this month.

The 49ers must get tough and try to force the issue with Piroe if they do not want their transfer plans to get derailed towards the end of the window.

They cannot afford to play nice and be more ruthless to ensure then Dutchman is moved on before the window closes next week.