Leeds Utd news: Junior Firpo’s contract, latest on Daniel Svensson and the hunt for a striker

With Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Blackburn Rovers still fresh in the mind, Leeds United must lick their wounds and prepare for the January transfer window.

The Whites’ midweek victory over Luton Town sent them to the top of the league, but victories for Burnley and Sheffield United at the weekend meant they dropped back into the play-offs.

Leeds looked like a completely different side against Blackburn, once again struggling to break teams down away from home.

Transfer News Blitz’s writer Harry Whitfield takes a look at the latest transfer updates surrounding the club.

Former Barcelona defender set for possible exit

Junior Firpo joined Leeds from Barcelona three years ago and initially struggled with disappointing performances in the Premier League.

Stepping down to the Championship, Firpo’s quality has shone through as the Dominican Republic international has 10 assists in 40 league games.

The left-back provides a creative output from out wide with his pin-point crosses and cut-backs.

However, his current deal expires in the summer, and as far as we know there are currently no talks ongoing for a new deal.

The Football League World claim Firpo is considering his options and could be tempted to exit the club come July if the team fail to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds could be forced to cash in on their starting full-back if Firpo decides his future lies elsewhere.

Leeds target Nordsjælland left-back

Daniel Svensson joined Danish Superliga club Nordsjælland from Brommapojkarna back in 2020, making over 150 appearances, assisting 20 times and scoring eight goals.

The Swedish footballer started his career in his native country before settling in Denmark and made his debut for the national team this year.

Liverpool, Juventus and Manchester United have shown interest in Svensson, but the Whites appear to be the frontrunners, according to Tipsbladet football expert Lars Gram-Hanssen.

Svensson could be the ideal replacement if Leeds is forced to part ways with Firpo, and Issac Schmidt, who has struggled for minutes as of late, could help with covering the left-back position if he does leave.

The 22-year-old, six-foot-tall Swede is capable of playing in multiple positions, offering versatility to the Leeds squad.

His main alternative position has been centre-midfield, where he has played this season for Nordsjælland.

Farke’s search for a consistent goalscorer

Daniel Farke has four options up front: Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford, Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt.

However, Gelhardt is already linked with a move away from Elland Road, possibly switching England for Scotland with a move to Rangers.

Piroe is the club’s top goalscorer this season, with seven goals in 18 games, four of which have come as a substitute.

But the former Swansea man’s forward play is ineffective as he lacks the mobility to link up with the rest of the Whites' attack.

The Dutch forward struggles to press the backline and is most impactful coming off the bench, where he is able to finish off chances when Leeds are on the counterattack and has plenty of space behind the opposition defence.

Bamford made an appearance at the weekend, but it is clear injuries have impacted his ability and confidence, as similarly, Joesph has struggled to find belief in himself to take chances when they come.

Whilst a striker appears necessary, there is limited movement on that front as of late - the only name to be suggested is Evan Ferguson.

The Irish forward wants more game time, favouring to stay in the Premier League with a club like Chelsea or Newcastle rather than stepping down to the Championship.

Brighton, however, might be reluctant to let him go to a rival club for less than £100million, opening the door for Leeds to make a possible loan move.

A target more realistic to me would be Danny Ings of West Ham United - who has only played 170 minutes of club football for the Hammers.

An experienced, proven goalscorer who only features as a squad player, if Leeds can convince him to drop down a level, Ings could set the second tier a light, firing Farke’s men to promotion.

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