A return to La Liga outfit Real Betis is ‘not on the table’ for Leeds United defender Junior Firpo, according to the club’s president Angel Haro.
Los Verdiblancos have already come to the rescue of one Leeds United player – bringing former Espanyol ace Marc Roca back to Spain following the club’s relegation in 2022/23 – but will they repeat the trick with Junior Firpo?
Apparently not.
Angel Haro, in comments proved by Comuniate, insists that Leeds’ £13 million left-back is not currently under consideration by Real Betis, even if he is remembered fondly at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Firpo, after all, made his La Liga breakthrough at Betis four years ago.
Junior Firpo facing uncertain Leeds United future
“The list (of potential full-back signings) is short,” Haro explains. “And I haven’t seen that name.
“(Firpo) is a player that we are very fond of. He is a Betis youth player. But I already said that he is not on the table.”
The perennially injured Firpo has played only twice for Leeds in the Championship this season, Sam Byram shining in his absence. The 27-year-old’s contract, meanwhile, has just over 18 months to run. As such, Leeds may be unwilling to stand in his way should Firpo be offered the opportunity to kick-start his career elsewhere.
Marc Roca back in Spain with Real Betis
Roca, in contrast, appears well-placed to secure a permanent return to Spanish football after impressing during his Betis loan spell under former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini.
“I’m very comfortable here,” Roca tells PTV Sevilla. “I have fitted in very well in the group and in the locker room. I find myself enjoying myself on the field. I’m happy in my day to day life.
“Let’s see, it is true that we are in contact with the club. We will see how everything evolves. It is my agent’s job to reach an agreement. Then Betis will have to talk to Leeds, and we will see how the negotiations progress.
“But I am very comfortable and very happy.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
