Leeds United Submit Opening Offer For Primary Target
The Championship side were reported to have stepped up their interest in the 24-year-old this morning, and now appear to want to get the deal done quickly amid talks that they held initial talks with the player’s representatives earlier this week.
Piroe has become one of the Championship’s hottest properties since joining the Swans from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in 2021, bagging 41 goals in 91 league appearances to date. His electric form has attracted interest from a host of other English teams, including Leeds’ recently relegated rivals Leicester City and Southampton, as well as Premier League outfit Everton.
Whilst he is yet to hit the back of the net in the league this season, the attacker was on hand with two goals in the 3-0 win over Northampton Town in the EFL Cup earlier this month, helping set up a second round showdown with Bournemouth.
The Yorkshire side are keen to land an attacker before the end of the transfer window next week, particularly with the future of Willy Gnonto up in the air. The Italian international is subject of interest from the likes of Everton and AS Roma, although was reintegrated back into first team training earlier this week after reportedly attempting to force a move.
The Toffees are expected to return to the fold in their pursuit of the player however, with rumours that the Premier League club could be willing to fork out up to £30 million for the 19-year-old.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke will be hoping that he can convince Piroe to head for Elland Road, particularly following their lacklustre start to life in England’s second tier. The Whites’ are winless from their opening three fixtures, with a narrow defeat against Birmingham City sandwiched by draws with Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion.
It doesn’t get any easier this Saturday, with the club travelling to early pacesetters Ipswich Town.
Writer’s View
Although Leeds have put their money on the table, there is no indication as to whether it is enough to convince Swansea to sell their star man. The Welsh side will be well aware of interest from elsewhere and will be hoping to receive as much as possible. As a result, £10 million is unlikely to be enough to secure his services.
It is worth noting that this is the former Premier League club’s opening offer and it is likely that they would be willing to increase in the coming days. However, personal terms could also be an issue, particularly because Swansea are also thought to be furiously trying to tie the player down to a two-year contract extension themselves.
The midfielder joined Forest last summer in a £10 million double deal along with former Huddersfield team-mate Harry Toffolo and looked destined for success in the Premier League after standing out in the second tier for the Terriers.
However, with Forest bringing in 29 players across last season’s two transfer windows, O’Brien soon found himself being asked to move on despite making 13 appearances in the first half of the campaign.
A deadline-day loan move to Blackburn Rovers in January fell through after paperwork was not completed in time for him to be registered, but the 24-year-old did eventually depart the club in March for a temporary spell in Major League Soccer with Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
O’Brien returned to Forest in July, yet it is expected that he will now move on permanently rather than resurrect his career at The City Ground.
