Middlesbrough urged to avoid 'overrated' Leeds United attacker transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has shared their views on the Joel Piroe link

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Joel Piroe has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough this January, after the forward, who has recently pledged his allegiance to Suriname, has had his game time massively hindered following Leeds United's promotion to the Premier League.

As per TEAMtalk, Leeds forward Piroe has emerged as a potential option for Championship side Middlesbrough this January, with Kim Hellberg's side eager to add more quality in the final third.

This comes whilst Leeds have been linked with both Wolves' Jorgen Strand-Larsen and Roma's Artem Dovbyk to provide competition for the on-fire Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

Piroe, who finished last season as the Championship's top goalscorer with 19 goals, has barely featured for the Whites this season, playing just over 200 minutes of Premier League football.

With his lack of game time evident, rumours of a move elsewhere have surfaced, with Boro emerging as a potential destination.

Middlesbrough told to look elsewhere in pursuit of attacking options this January as Joel Piroe rumour is dismissed

Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam, has shared their opinion on the links with Piroe, and whether they think he is what Hellberg's side have been lacking in the final third this campaign.

Liam said, "I don't know if it's a controversial opinion, but I don't think he's what Boro needs."I saw him against Derby in the cup. He looked good, don't get me wrong. On the ball, he was quite impressive, and he can shoot, but he seems more of a playmaker than anything."He was good for Leeds last season, but I do think it was a bit of an overrated season, as mad as that may sound."He scored four against Stoke, which in reality is why he got top goalscorer. And in one of the most dominant teams, realistically, this league has seen, he failed to really stand out and score in many of the games."Don't get me wrong, 19 goals is impressive, but you know, I think anyone, Tommy Conway would score 25 in that team with the amount of chances they were creating, so I can't say it's what I need."I think we need a more physical striker. And someone who'll run on the last lines, and I don't think Joel Piroe would give us that, so personally I'd avoid it."

Kim Hellberg is looking to add attacking reinforcements at Middlesbrough this January, with Joel Piroe a potential option

It's not just Piroe that Boro have been linked with this window.

Attacking-midfielder Leo Castledine has already signed on the dotted line from Chelsea after an excellent spell on loan with Huddersfield Town in the first half of the campaign, whilst Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento looks set to join the club on a permanent basis.

Indeed, in the four-game period from their 2-0 away defeat to Bristol City to their 1-0 away defeat to Derby County, Boro failed to score a single goal despite having 80 shots across those games.

The addition of Piroe would likely remedy Boro's lack of clinicalness in front of goal, and provide Hellberg's side with the goalscoring threat they have been lacking up front.

Tommy Conway has more often than not been Boro's preferred option up front, but the Englishman has netted just three times in 26 outings this season.

Piroe would be a significant upgrade on Conway in terms of finding the back of the net, but whether he is stylistically the best option for Hellberg's side remains to be seen.

A loan deal between the two clubs is the most likely option, if indeed any deal is to be pursued. What goes without question, though, is Hellberg's desire to add that final bit of quality at the top end of the pitch this winter, which could be the difference between promotion and another year in the Championship.