Joel Piroe is on the verge of leaving Leeds United this summer, with the club already said to have identified Burnley forward Zian Flemming as a replacement.
The move would bring an end to a spell that began in the summer of 2023 and included a major role in Leeds’ return to the top flight. Piroe was the club’s top scorer in the 2024/25 Championship season, finishing with 19 goals in 46 outings and adding seven assists along the way.
That return, though, has not translated into the same status in the Premier League. Under Daniel Farke, the 27-year-old has been used sparingly, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Lukas Nmecha preferred ahead of him. Piroe has played 544 Premier League minutes this season, made 14 appearances and started only two of them.
Leeds’ thinking is clear enough. They want more firepower, and Flemming fits the profile they are said to be chasing after Burnley’s relegation. The Dutch forward scored ten goals in 1,602 minutes of Premier League action, a return that has put him in Leeds’ sights as they look to reshape their attack.
There is also a practical reason the club may be willing to part with Piroe. He will have one year left on his deal in the summer, but his Championship record means Leeds could still command a significant fee if they decide now is the time to sell. That gives the club a choice between holding on to a proven scorer who has fallen down the pecking order or cashing in while his value remains high.
The tension for Leeds is that Piroe has done the hard part before: he delivered when the club needed goals most, then found himself squeezed out once the team reached the Premier League. If the transfer talk hardens into a sale, it will be a sign that Leeds are prepared to back Farke’s judgment and move quickly to build around a different kind of forward line.
