Leeds United will be hoping to retain their assets this summer but after Premier League promotion, it won’t be so easy.
Daniel Farke will know improvements are needed, but he also needs to keep the core of the team intact.
The belief is already that Farke has six guaranteed starters, but Leeds fans might be expecting more improvements.
Sean Longstaff has emerged for Leeds in what would be a sensible transfer which could heighten their chances of staying in the Premier League.
However, one player is almost certainly leaving the Whites, and his preference has seemingly been chosen.
Leeds United’s Junior Firpo could join Raphinha at Barcelona
With Junior Firpo’s future always pointing the way to an exit from Elland Road, the left-back’s decision will surely come to the surface very soon.
It seemed like Ethan Ampadu revealed Firpo was going to Real Betis, but this got confused by a fan wearing a Betis shirt during the parade.
Despite the mixup, Firpo is still unlikely to remain at Leeds, and his true desires have been revealed this transfer window.
Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, Graeme Bailey has revealed that Firpo could actually end up returning to Barcelona, where he can link up once again with former Leeds star, Raphinha.
“He’s been speaking to numerous clubs, Spain is close to his heart,” Bailey said.
“There appears to be a preference, I do know he’s had a lot more interest in recent weeks. Which is not a surprise, given his performances. There has been some interest in England, Everton, with Angus Kinnear and Nick Hammond.
“It’s down to Firpo, I am told he inching towards Spain. Barcelona have even looked at him as a no.2, Betis are there as well.
“It does sound like he’s heading back to Spain; his people have had a lot of talks.”
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Farke’s three options to replace Firpo at Leeds
With the Spaniard likely putting an end to his four-season stay in Yorkshire, Farke will have to consider some replacements.
The impact has been clear from the 28-year-old this season as not only has he performed defensively, but 14 goal contributions from left-back is an impressive feat.
It won’t be easy, but there have been three clear options linked to Leeds that could fill the big hole left by Firpo.
Whether these options would be able to be a like-for-like replacement is another question, but what is known is that Farke has to get the position sorted soon.
Isaac Schmidt’s Leeds future is also uncertain, which adds more to Leeds’ concern, and the £100m transfer kitty will no doubt have to be utilised effectively.
