Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, and Birmingham City have been keen on signing 26-year-old Dutch striker Joel Piroe from Leeds United.
According to a report by Dutch outlet Voetbal International, Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Southampton, and Stoke City are interested in Leeds United striker Joel Piroe. The five EFL Championship clubs have been eager to bolster their offensive units by signing a striker in the winter transfer window and have set their sights on the 26-year-old. However, the player has turned them down, as he is happy at the Premier League club.
How has Joel Piroe fared at Leeds United?
Joel Piroe has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Leeds United from Swansea City in August 2023. Born in Wijchen, the Dutchman spent his formative years in the Netherlands, passing through the academies at Quick 1888 Nijmegen, SC Woezik, NEC Nijmegen, and Feyenoord before graduating from the youth division at PSV Eindhoven.
However, the 26-year-old has risen in prominence during his spell in England, in particular during his stint with Leeds United. Piroe has made over 100 appearances for Leeds United thus far while chipping in with 33 goals and ten assists. However, while the Dutch striker was integral in the West Yorkshire club’s promotion to the Premier League last season, he has been a backup player this term.
A man in demand
The former Netherlands youth international striker’s situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. A return to the EFL Championship may be on the cards, with Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Stoke City, and Birmingham City keen on securing his services in the winter transfer window.
Middlesbrough will dip into the market for a game-changing signing in the winter transfer window as they push to secure promotion to the Premier League. Meanwhile, Stoke City can secure a promotion playoff spot, although a top-two finish is not out of the question yet.
As for Leicester City, Southampton, and Birmingham City, the three clubs are eager to embark on a solid second half of the 2025/26 season. However, Piroe has rejected the five EFL Championship clubs, compelling them to look elsewhere for a striker in the winter transfer window.
The 26-year-old Dutchman has also been a target for Celtic. However, Piroe may not leave Leeds United in the winter transfer window, even though he is a backup option for the West Yorkshire outfit. With the Dutch striker happy at Elland Road, a January departure is not on the cards.