Middlesbrough FC and Rangers 'remain options' for Leeds United forward Joel Piroe
A fresh claim regarding Middlesbrough and Rangers interest in Leeds United forward Joel Piroe
Middlesbrough and Rangers remain options for out-of-favour Leeds United forward Joel Piroe, a report has claimed.
Both Boro and the Gers were linked with Piroe in the winter window amid the forward’s struggle for game time in West Yorkshire.
A move away from LS11 did not materialise for the 26-year-old and he has since remained unable to climb the pecking order. If Leeds beat the drop in the Premier League, it appears likely Piroe will seek pastures new.
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Middlesbrough and Rangers ‘options’ for Leeds United man
According to TEAMtalk, Middlesbrough and Rangers are both still options for Piroe heading into the summer window.
Scottish Premiership heavyweights Rangers could have a significant advantage given they share owners with Leeds, having been taken over by 49ers Enterprises last year.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, are reportedly likely to look elsewhere if they seal promotion to the top flight. If they miss out on promotion, however, they may be keen on someone with a Championship record as strong as the one Piroe has.
After a goal-laden spell at Swansea City, Piroe fired Leeds to the Championship title with a 19-goal haul last term. Promotion was followed by the arrivals of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who pushed Piroe down the pecking order.
This season, the Suriname international has been afforded just two starts and 12 substitute outings in the Premier League. His only goal of the season came last month, when he netted in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City.
Joel Piroe assessment
He said: “I think as a player, you always back yourself. Wherever you go, you back yourself. Actually, I think of Kalvin Phillips as being the best example of that.
“He was the best midfielder in England. Of course, he's got to think he can go to Manchester City and make the step up. And he's right to do that. Unfortunately, sometimes it does not work out.
“With Piroe, I think if you look last season, he was clearly our best finisher. You put him in the right areas, he is an amazing finisher, he’s got calmness, but I think the way that we play, it doesn't really ideally suit his characteristics.
“At times, we're starting to go a little bit longer and of course, Calvert-Lewin in the air, that physicality is so important. Piroe isn't that type of player, so you can see why, unfortunately, he will not start many games because of the way that we play.
“If you think two, three, four seasons in advance, we play a different style, we have a lot of possession, then he could come more into the reckoning. But at the moment, it's difficult. And that's why Nmecha will play and that's why Calvert-Lewin will play. It must be frustrating for him.”
Piroe has made a total of 116 appearances across all competitions for Leeds, weighing in with 34 goals and 10 assists.