The future of Junior Firpo at Leeds United is a pressing concern for the club, according to former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson. With the left-back entering the final year of his contract, Robinson believes that the situation needs to be resolved as quickly as possible to avoid losing him for free next summer.
Firpo, who joined Leeds from Barcelona for a reported £13m, has been a useful attacking asset for the team, providing eight assists in 33 appearances last season. However, his contract situation has attracted interest from other clubs, and Leeds may be reluctant to lose him without receiving a fee.
Robinson, who spoke to MOT Leeds News, emphasized the importance of sorting out Firpo’s future, stating that the club needs to avoid losing him for free. He suggested that if Firpo is not willing to sign a new contract, the club should consider selling him now to avoid missing out on a potential transfer fee.
Leeds United finds themselves in a difficult situation, as they need to balance their books after missing out on promotion to the Premier League. Losing Firpo for free would be a significant blow, and the club may struggle to replace him within their limited budget.
Robinson’s comments highlight the urgency of the situation, and it remains to be seen how Leeds United will handle Firpo’s contract situation in the coming weeks. One thing is certain, however – the club needs to act quickly to avoid losing a valuable asset without receiving a fee in return.
Leeds United’s interest in young full-back
According to Dutch outlet VI, Leeds are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a possible swoop to sign Anselmo MacNulty from PEC Zwolle this summer.
The report claims that Leicester City, who were successful in their efforts to earn promotion out of the Championship, are also keen on the versatile star, who can play at centre-back or left-back.
It adds that Real Betis have been linked with a move for the player in the past but that Zwolle are not keen to cash in on the 21-year-old battler
Leeds United missed out on promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking as they lost the play-off final to Southampton at Wembley last month.
The Whites could now lose some of their key players as teams from across Europe start to eye up their stars ahead of possible moves during the summer transfer window.
One player who has already been linked with an exit from Elland Road is left-back Junior Firpo, who was Daniel Farke’s first-choice left-back during the second half of the season.
Last month, Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, reported that Spanish side Real Betis are one of the teams interested in a deal for the former Barcelona man, but that a deal could be too expensive for them at this moment in time.
Leeds United’s interest in young full-back
According to Dutch outlet VI, Leeds are one of a number of clubs eyeing up a possible swoop to sign Anselmo MacNulty from PEC Zwolle this summer.
The report claims that Leicester City, who were successful in their efforts to earn promotion out of the Championship, are also keen on the versatile star, who can play at centre-back or left-back.
It adds that Real Betis have been linked with a move for the player in the past but that Zwolle are not keen to cash in on the 21-year-old battler.
It, therefore, remains to be seen whether or not a deal is viable for the Whites at this moment in time as there is no price tag mentioned or whether or not the English side are prepared to make an official offer for his services.
If they do manage to secure a transfer for the left-footed titan, though, then they could land a strong replacement for Firpo, should he depart before the end of the window.
Why Anselmo MacNulty could be a good Junior Firpo replacement
Firstly, the Spanish-born star is almost seven years younger than the Dominican Republic international, who is 28 in August, and has plenty of time left to develop and improve over the years to come, which could make him a better long-term option for Farke.
His potential was highlighted by a list of ‘future champions’ that was curated by CIES Football Observatory, via The Irish Mirror, which included the Irish colossus alongside the likes of Jude Bellingham, who is now a star for Real Madrid and England, Jamal Musiala, and Rico Lewis, and others.
It included the young players who had played the most minutes at first-team, and youth international, level during the 2023 calendar year, which the Leeds target qualified for through his time on the pitch in the Eredivisie and Bellingham qualified for through his performances for Borussia Dortmund, England, and Real.
MacNulty was once hailed as “physically strong” by former Zwolle director Marcel Boudesteyn and his defensive work is why he could arrive as an excellent replacement for Firpo.