A priority quickly emerging at Leeds United is to replace Junior Firpo. The left-back is now expected to leave Leeds despite promotion to the Premier League, and return to an old club.
The Dominican Republic international is out of contract at the end of June, one of three senior players at Elland Road. Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui will feature prominently on the incoming retained list.
Firpo is close to a move to old club Betis, and the left-back is ‘widely anticipated’ to leave Leeds after a four-year stint in Yorkshire. Leeds then, have to replace a player who played such a key role in promotion.
Leeds have been linked with a few left-backs already this summer. Tottenham’s Ben Davies who remains out of contract, Wolves’ Hugo Bueno. Another option that has now emerged is Konstantinos Tsimikas.
Liverpool tell Leeds how much to pay for Konstantinos Tsimikas
The 40-time Greece international has spent his entire Liverpool spell as second choice to Anfield icon Andy Robertson. But now, reports say Liverpool are willing to sell Tsimikas and Leeds want to do a deal.
According to a report from TeamTalk, Liverpool have now informed Leeds that they want a £15m fee if they are to sign the left-footed set-piece specialist in the coming weeks and months, in the summer.
Leeds will need a cheap-ish option to replace Firpo given the former Barcelona and Betis man will be leaving without The Whites raking in any cash for his signature, given his contract is about to expire.
Why Tsimikas was once really annoyed with James Milner
Tsimikas has only ever played 65 times in the Premier League for Liverpool, such is the dominance that Robertson has had in the Liverpool starting XI. Tsimikas has played 27 times in the Champions League.
That is something Leeds need if they are going to replace Firpo, and Tsimikas is that. A passionate player that once got annoyed with Leeds icon James Milner during the 2022 FA Cup final, won on penalties.
Liverpool beat Chelsea that day, Tsimikas scoring the winning penalty. But Milner has since explained the Greek defender had the hump with him, because he could not watch Tsimikas’ deciding shot at Wembley.
But it shows that Tsimikas is technically gifted, can deal with high-stakes pressure and gives as much in defence as he does in attack. If Leeds are to lose Firpo, then they are replacing him well with Tsimikas.
