Leeds United have set their sights on signing a player from their promotion rivals.
With Junior Firpo’s contract set to expire next year, Leeds are already on the hunt for a replacement. Firpo has managed to turn his career around at Elland Road; the left back was criticized for never being available and was often benched by previous managers. Now, he is one of the first names on the team sheet under Daniel Farke.
The former Barcelona player recently said that he does not know about his future at the club:
“Football is like that. One day you are here, another day you are there. But this is the topic that I’ve been discussing with myself since we got relegated. Obviously, I could have done the same [as others who left], I could have gone away.
“I have my options, I think everyone knows, it’s not a thing that I can hide. I had my options and I could go away, but as you say, my family is settled here. We are doing really good at the moment, but we don’t know what the future will say for me.”
With new signing Isaac Schmidt not up to speed on the Leeds United team yet, there is a feeling that the club will sign a new left back.
Price tag revealed for Leeds United target
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds have set their sights on Sunderland fullback Dennis Cirkin. The left footed has emerged as one of the best left backs in the championship over the past two seasons.
Cirkin scored five goals in the 2022/23 season with his driving runs from fullback. Sunderland AFC News Luke Phelps has speculated on how much Leeds would pay for the 22-year old:
“Sunderland want to keep their squad intact past January in their bid for promotion, and selling a key player makes no sense. If Leeds are promoted and Sunderland aren’t, it becomes a lot more probable.
“It would be especially so if Cirkin doesn’t sign a new contract before then as he’d be entering the last year of his deal. Sunderland seem to have a benchmark of around £20m for their in-demand players.
“In a season or two, £20m would be the minimum for Cirkin. Say if Leeds were to go for him in January, I think £15m would get it done,”
Leeds United’s next game after the international break is away to Swansea in 12 days.
