Leeds United are already making plans for life without Joel Piroe as the striker closes in on completing his move to West Ham United.
Piroe has passed his West Ham medical and is now at the final stage of a transfer which has accelerated rapidly over the past few days.
The latest indication that his Elland Road departure is effectively expected comes from The Guardian, which describes Piroe as “West Ham-bound” while reporting that Leeds are assessing further additions to their squad.
Leeds prepare for Joel Piroe departure
Burnley forward Zian Flemming is among the options being considered by Leeds, with The Guardian suggesting he could cost close to £20million.
The Yorkshire club are also interested in Real Betis midfielder Nelson Deossa and Marseille winger Igor Paixão as they reshape Daniel Farke’s squad before the new Premier League campaign.
For West Ham, the development provides further encouragement that there should be few obstacles remaining in Piroe’s move.
ReadWestHam reported on Tuesday that Piroe had completed his medical, with only the final signature reportedly required before the transfer could be completed.
The 27-year-old is expected to join initially on loan, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent if West Ham secure promotion to the Premier League.
Nuno Espírito Santo viewed Piroe as one of his leading striker targets because of his proven Championship scoring record. ReadWestHam has already examined why his 19-goal promotion campaign with Leeds makes him particularly suited to West Ham’s immediate objective.
Only days ago, talkSPORT reported that West Ham were merely exploring Piroe as an alternative to Troy Parrott and that nothing was imminent.
The situation has transformed quickly.
With the medical completed and Leeds now being described as preparing to replace the West Ham-bound striker, an official announcement appears to be one of the few remaining steps.
