Graham Smyth has shared how Leeds United forward Joel Piroe reacted to speculation linking him with a last-minute transfer to Sheffield United.
The Dutchman had reportedly been offered to the Blades as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Gustavo Hamers [Sheffield Star, 29 August] a claim that sources from within Elland Road have denied completely [Graham Smyth, 29 August].
While no such move was completed before the transfer window slammed shut, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth has revealed that Piroe wasn’t even aware who Blades’ boss Chris Wilder was.
Writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post newsletter (4 September) Smyth said: “The tale goes that when a club employee broached the press speculation with him he responded that there were worse stories during his time at Swansea.
“Then he asked who Chris Wilder was.”
Did Joel Piroe come close to Leeds United exit after Sheffield United transfer rumours?
Well if anyone believed any of the talk around Piroe and Sheffield United this summer, it seems as though the Leeds United man has well and truly put that to bed by being completely oblivious to the speculation.
It seemed unlikely that the Dutchman would complete the move to Bramall Lane before the transfer deadline as soon as the Whites attempted to shut down the story so quickly after it broke in the final days of the window.
Although Piroe is a divisive figure among Leeds supporters, he is still an important part of Farke’s squad as the Whites look to win promotion this term, particularly now that several of the Whites’ biggest attacking names have departed.
Hopefully, after the international break, the versatile forward can begin to force his way back into Farke’s starting XI on a regular basis again. He isn’t the perfect frontman for the Championship, but his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
It will be interesting to see if any more surprising links over his future crop up again when the January window rolls around.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have reacted to new PSR developments at Leicester City after last season’s promotion race
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