Leeds United and Southampton race to sign Joel Piroe - Sources

By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

28th Jul, 2023 | 1:30pm

Revealed: Leeds United and Southampton race to sign Joel Piroe

Newly-relegated Championship trio Leeds United, Southampton and Leicester City are set to battle for the signing of Swansea City star Joel Piroe, sources have told Football Insider.

The 23-year-old is highly coveted in the second tier after a stellar campaign with the Welsh side in the 2022-23 season.

Leeds want someone in his mould having already parted with last season’s top scorer Rodrigo, who joined Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan earlier this summer.

Like the Spaniard, Piroe is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder as well as a traditional frontman.

Meanwhile, his former manager Russell Martin is keen to reunite with the Dutchman after taking the job at Southampton this summer.

Leicester are keeping tabs on the former PSV Eindhoven man with Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka the subject of interest from Premier League sides.

Piroe, who joined Swansea in 2021, notched 20 goals and two assists in 45 games across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign.

His contract at the Swansea.com Stadium is set to expire in June 2024.

Leeds have completed just one deal so far this summer, with Ethan Ampadu joining the club from Chelsea.

Football Insider revealed on 28 July that they will announce the signing of Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow in due course after his medical on Friday.

Meanwhile, Southampton have sealed the signings of Shea Charles and Ryan Manning.

Leicester have announced deals for Conor Coady, Harry Winks, Callum Doyle and Mads Hermansen.

In other news, Leeds United agree deal with ex-Celtic man.