October 5, 2024

The Elland Road club’s need for some further attacking firepower had been evident for some time, and not bringing it sooner was arguably a contributing factor to the club suffering relegation from the Premier League to the Championship at the end of last season.

As a result, it was unsurprising to see the club act in the summer market to bolster their firepower, paying a rumoured cost of more than £10 million to bring the Dutchman to Yorkshire after two productive seasons with the Swans.

Since then, Piroe has swiftly made the kind of impression that Leeds would have hoped for, scoring four goals in his five Championship appearances for the club.

He has also created a promising relationship with another of the club’s attacking talents, Georginio Rutter, and it is because of that link-up that Leeds have begun to show signs that they can compete for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Who else was looking to sign Piroe during the transfer window?

Given Piroe’s recent success with Swansea, it’s not surprise that Leeds were far from the only club connected with the Dutchman over the summer.

Joel Piroe: Swansea City discussing new contract with striker, says Michael  Duff - BBC Sport

Indeed, the other two Premier League clubs relegated at the end of last season, Leicester City and Southampton, appeared to be interested in recruiting the 24-year-old.

However, when it came to attacking recruitment, both clubs would go in opposite routes.

On deadline day, Southampton signed Ross Stewart from Sunderland, while Leicester added Tom Cannon to their attacking options.

The new reports concerning Leicester and Brentford, on the other hand, suggest that Leeds should be grateful they were able to complete a deal for Piroe in the summer.

 

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