Graeme Smyth believes Leeds United will find it “difficult to turn down” a big-money bid for Joel Piroe next summer.
Daniel Farke dropped Piroe for the 2-0 win against Queens Park Rangers in favour of Mateo Joseph, but the forward made his impact from the bench by securing the result with his 95th-minute strike.
However, Smyth discussed whether the forward could make the step up to the Premier League on the Inside Elland Road podcast [14 November, 39:31], and believes a big-money bid could tempt the Whites to sell.
He said: “Like we saw with [Glen] Kamara, Leeds saw an opportunity there to sell a player who they signed for £5million, a perfectly good player in the Championship but they thought they could augment the midfield with a different profile and they saw an opportunity to make money.
“And there was no sentiment whatsoever in that situation, it was ‘yeah, we can do better; we’re getting more money here, let’s pull the trigger on this’. I could possibly see that being the case with Piroe as well.
Leeds United cannot turn down a £12m bid for Joel Piroe
The Whites still have a long way to go in the Championship campaign before their Premier League aspirations can be recognised but, with the side chasing down league leaders Sunderland and Sheffield United, any plans should be made with a return to the top flight in mind.
Piroe has become a cause for concern in West Yorkshire. Six goals in 15 Championship outings is not the required standard for a side aiming to win the title.
Furthermore, Farke has Joseph waiting in the wings and, five years younger, he can be considered the future of the frontline, meaning the German will be tasked with some difficult choices at the end of the season.
While Joseph has been the subject of ridicule at points throughout the campaign, his potential is undeniable and the Spaniard will need a seasoned Premier League forward to learn his trade from should he find himself in the top flight.
Even with the riches of the Premier League, £12m is a sizeable fee for Leeds and could be smartly reinvested back into more problem areas within the side.
Injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev forced the Whites to sign Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer to ease the burden in central midfield – this will not be an option that can be afforded to a top-flight side.
Therefore, Piroe may have until the end of the season to save his Leeds career and put up the goal contributions that would justify his inclusion in a Premier League side. It may be out of his hands if Smyth’s words ring true.
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