Leeds United have joined the race to sign Junior Firpo, with the winger expected to be one of many players sacrificed in Barcelona’s summer fire sales.
Barça’s dangerous financial situation means that the Liga giants want to download as many playable players as possible, and the 24-year-old is one who they believe could still pay a decent fee.
Football Italia reports that interest in Firpo has increased too late, with Premier League team Leeds now among the growing list of European clubs doing business.
The Whites face stiff competition from Milan, Southampton and West Ham United for Firpo, and Barça hope that this level of interest will trigger a bidding war and increase his value in the transfer market.
Serie A heavyweights Milan are one of the parties keeping a close eye on Firpo, amid speculation that current left-back Theo Hernandez may move to new pastures. However, it is believed that I Rossoneri want to agree on a loan agreement with an option to buy at the end of the season, something that Barça wants to avoid.
Firpo can leave Barça this summer / Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Consequently, the Premier League seems to be a more likely destination for Firpo – with at least the aforementioned trio of clubs weighing up a potential bid.
Firpo joined Barça from Real Betis in the summer of 2019 in an agreement worth 18 million euros. But he has not managed to get rid of Jordi Alba in the first team, and his chances of nailing down a place have diminished over time.
He played just 18 games for the Catalan giants last season, with only seven of those gigs in La Liga. The Spaniard is seen as dispensable at Camp Nou, with the new president Joan Laporta trying to lower the wage cost and generate as much money as possible through player sales.
Sergio Aguero with Barcelona President Joan Laporta / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images
Barça have so far dipped into the free transfer market to strengthen their squad, completing Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay.
