Leeds United, Everton and Southampton are keen on Joel Piroe with Swansea captain Matt Grimes insisting that retaining the prolific Dutchman would be ‘absolutely brilliant’ news for the South Welsh outfit.
With 49 goal contributions in just 83 starts during his time in English football’s second tier, keeping Joel Piroe at the Liberty Stadium for 2023/24 could potentially be the difference between another mid-table finish and a play-off challenge for Michael Duff’s side.
And the simple fact one of the most lethal marksmen in the EFL is still a Swansea player – with one month of the window remaining – is a major boost to Duff’s hopes of building on the foundations Russell Martin laid down.
The downside to retaining Piroe’s services for another season, of course, is the prospect of losing the former PSV Eindhoven youngster for absolutely nothing in less than 12 months’ time.
Championship rivals still hope for Joel Piroe swoop
According to The Sun (30 July, page 59) Piroe may opt to run down his deal before leaving Swansea for free. There is interest from Championship trio Leeds, Leicester City and a Southampton side now under Martin’s stewardship.
Plus, Everton in the division above.
But perhaps Piroe feels that he will have offers from clubs higher up the footballing pyramid when his contract expires, presuming he can trouble the 20-goal mark again under Duff.
“He’s such a good player, such a good lad,” skipper Grimes tells the BBC. “I actually feel a bit sorry for him with the amount of speculation that surrounds him all the time. (The rumours are) warranted because he scores so many goals.”
Swansea sold midfielder Flynn Downes to West Ham for a fee rising to £14 million last year. The chances of Piroe leaving for a similar sum appear all-but over unless he takes the surprise decision to extend his current contract.
“If someone comes in and takes him from us, it has to be the perfect deal for him and the club. Similar to the way Flynn left. There was no animosity at all,” Grimes adds.
“He’s a fantastic footballer and a great guy. If he’s here (beyond the window), absolutely brilliant. And if someone comes in, then that’s footy.”
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