Daniel Farke is facing a challenging situation as he looks to keep Leeds United’s squad intact heading into the January transfer window. After narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, Leeds were already faced with the task of rebuilding, and now, with their strong ambitions to bounce back, they’re confronted with the reality of potential departures. Farke was hopeful of maintaining the squad he had, but the summer saw four key players leave, including Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, and Georginio Rutter, who were sold for a combined fee well over £100 million. Additionally, Glen Kamara left for Rennes, further thinning out the ranks. The loss of these influential players left a void in Leeds’ squad, forcing Farke to conduct a mini rebuild on the fly.
As January approaches, Farke will be desperate to avoid further departures, but with the transfer window opening, interest in several of his key players is almost inevitable. One player who is likely to attract significant attention is left-back Junior Firpo. Firpo, who joined Leeds in the summer of 2021 from Barcelona, has been a solid performer, but his current contract situation is adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future. The Spanish defender has just six months left on his deal, which means that clubs can now approach him on a pre-contract basis, potentially securing his services for free in the summer. This has already led to speculation regarding his next move, with several clubs circling.
Among the suitors, Real Betis stands out as a potential destination for Firpo. Having started his career in Spain with Betis before making the move to Barcelona and then Leeds, Firpo may feel a pull to return to his roots. The Spanish club, currently competing in the Europa Conference League and sitting mid-table in La Liga, are reportedly leading the chase for the 28-year-old left-back. Given his previous success at Betis, where he played 43 times for the senior team after a series of strong performances with their B team, Firpo could see a return to Betis as an attractive option. His time at the Spanish club was marked by impressive form, contributing to 12 goals in his 43 appearances. While his stint at Barcelona was brief and not particularly successful, his time at Betis was formative, and the club might see him as a key figure in their defensive setup moving forward.
However, Firpo’s potential return to Betis is not without its complications. The left-back may not be solely focused on a move back to Spain; other clubs, such as Turkish giants Besiktas, have also expressed interest in him. Besiktas, currently seeking a replacement for the much-maligned Arthur Masuaku, could look to Firpo as the ideal candidate to bolster their defense. This would add another layer of competition for Firpo’s signature, and Leeds could find themselves in a difficult position if they want to keep him for the remainder of the season.
As for Firpo’s decision to stay at Leeds or move on, it may depend heavily on the club’s progress in the Championship and whether they can secure promotion to the Premier League. Leeds are currently pushing for an automatic promotion spot, and if they succeed, Firpo might be inclined to stay and contribute to the club’s return to the top flight. Farke will surely hope that Leeds’ push for promotion, combined with the club’s ambitions, could convince Firpo to extend his stay. However, it’s also possible that Firpo, now at a point where he’s nearing the end of his contract, might opt for a new challenge, particularly if a return to Betis or a move to Besiktas offers him more opportunities for regular first-team football.
Leeds United will face a crucial decision in the coming months regarding Firpo’s future. If they cannot secure a new deal with him, they will need to consider the best course of action, whether it’s attempting to sell him in January to avoid losing him for free in the summer or holding onto him for the remainder of the season in the hope that Leeds’ promotion efforts and Firpo’s quality will be key in securing a Premier League return. Ultimately, Farke will be keen to keep his squad as stable as possible, but with Firpo’s future up in the air, the January window could see significant movement for Leeds United, and the club will need to be ready to respond to whatever comes their way.