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Leeds United could consider a loan with an obligation to buy for wantaway striker Joel Piroe, though they prefer a permanent sale, according to The Athletic.
Piroe is well down the pecking order under Daniel Farke at Elland Road, with the German appearing to conclude he is incapable of offering what the Whites need in attack at Premier League level.
The striker clocked just 258 top flight minutes last term, however notably snubbed a move away in the winter transfer window.
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He rejected potential moves to Middlesbrough and Leicester City, then rebuffing Ipswich Town as he did not want to drop down to the Championship.
It was suggested Piroe could head north of the border to Rangers, but that proved to be a non-starter.
As the deadline approached it was suggested Piroe had decided he would stay at Leeds at least until the summer, though his fortunes saw no improvement in the second half of the campaign.
He is now into the final year of his Leeds deal and wants to leave, but the Whites have been demanding £16m, which has put clubs off.
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Following a meeting between his agent and the club, it is suggested Leeds could potentially look at a loan with an obligation to buy, though they would prefer a straight sale.
Even with the obligation to buy though, the final price Leeds would want would likely determine whether clubs feel a deal is do-able or not.
Leeds have Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha as striking options ahead of Piroe, while the club have also been linked with wanting to sign another striker.
Commentator Adam Pope warned just last month that Leeds do need another striker as they cannot bank on Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha remaining fit throughout next term.
With Leeds having no desperate need to bring in cash, they can afford to play hardball on Piroe, leaving the striker facing a bleak season if he stays put.
Piroe would be unlikely to get many opportunities, with one former Leeds star saying last season he does not have the mobility needed for Farke’s system.
Now it remains to be seen if Leeds might further soften their stance as the end of the window approaches.
INSIDE FUTBOL SAYS:
Leeds United may well be unhappy that Joel Piroe slammed the door on so many clubs in the winter transfer window.
Had he joined Ipswich Town, he might now be getting ready for a crack at Premier League football with the Tractor Boys instead of being the forgotten man at Elland Road.
Of course £16m is hugely overvaluing Piroe, but Leeds have an obligation to get as much as they can for him and little incentive to do him any favours following him digging his heels in over the winter transfer window.