Leeds United: Sunderland AFC and Tottenham players should be amongst 3 Junior Firpo replacements considered | OneFootball

FLW take a look at three Junior Firpo replacements Leeds United could line up for the summer.

Junior Firpo has often been criticised during his time at Leeds United, but it is difficult to argue that this season the full-back hasn't been in top form.

Across his 20 matches, the 28-year-old has provided seven assists and has retained his defensive nous while being a threat at the other end.

However, his current deal at Elland Road expires in the summer. This has attracted interest from one of his former clubs, Real Betis, and it appears that a move back to Spain could be on the horizon.

According to reports from TEAMtalk in January, Firpo’s representatives have reached out to Real Betis and are "laying the groundwork" for a possible return to the club where the full-back rose to prominence before his move to Barcelona.

This has since been built on and, according to multiple reports in Spain via SportWitness, Los Verdiblancos are increasingly confident of striking a deal with the defender.

This would leave Leeds with a void to fill, and Football League World have identified three potential replacements the Whites could sign in the summer.

Sergio Reguilon

One free agent option Leeds could consider is Sergio Reguilón.

The 28-year-old joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2020 but has only enjoyed two seasons of consistent appearances at the club. Last season, he had loan spells at Manchester United and Brentford, with his performances for the latter particularly impressive, as he registered four assists in 16 Premier League matches.

This season, he has featured just five times under Ange Postecoglou, and it seems unlikely that Spurs will offer him a new deal.

This could present Leeds with an opportunity to bring in some top-tier experience by offering the left-back a contract at Elland Road.

For Farke, he would be an ideal replacement for Firpo, with Reguilon potentially adding that extra bit of dynamism and defensive focus. During his 2019-20 season at Sevilla, while he was solid going forward, it was defensively where he truly excelled, with key metrics like duels won, blocks, and recoveries all ranking highly in the league.

This was a pattern he replicated during his best spells at Tottenham, and Leeds' head coach would be eager to see a return to that form should they secure his signature.

An exciting signing? Perhaps not. But one who will bring valuable Premier League know-how and be eager to prove himself? Absolutely.

Dennis Cirkin

Dennis Cirkin may not have been up to his usual standards against Leeds, but at his best he appears to be a player ready to make the jump to the Premier League.

Aged 22, he has already made over 100 appearances for Sunderland and is someone the Whites have previously shown interest in.

This move would likely depend on the division each club finds themselves in. If Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League and Sunderland don’t, it could force the Black Cats’ hand should Leeds make an approach.

His current contract runs until 2026, so if Sunderland don’t extend it soon, they may struggle to secure full value for him in the summer with just one year remaining on his deal.

Looking at what he could bring to the Whites, Cirkin is the archetypal full-back of a bygone era. While he does offer an attacking threat, he could bring that extra bit of defensive nous that Leeds may need in the Premier League.

In the past, when Firpo played in the top tier, he struggled to cope with naturally gifted right-wingers, often giving away fouls or penalties.

The Northern Irish international is more of a no-nonsense defender, a bruiser with an air of quality by nature, and it seems that Elland Road could be the perfect place for him to take the next step in both defence and attack.

Bali Mumba

Possibly the most realistic target for Leeds United is a move for Plymouth Argyle's Bali Mumba.

The left-back was a target for the Whites in the previous transfer window, and with the Pilgrims facing relegation to League One, Leeds could secure him for a cut-price fee.

During his time at Home Park, Mumba has proven what an exceptional talent he is. While this season has seen him face some struggles, he could easily step up with stronger players around him.

Of course, should Leeds secure promotion to the Premier League, it will be a tough challenge for Mumba, but at just 23, he has plenty of time to adapt.

For a player of diminutive stature, he would be a valuable addition for Farke in defence. While he may currently be playing at the wrong end of the Championship, his performances in 2023-24 showcased the qualities of a player with aspirations to play at the very top.

Strong going forward, he created just over one chance per game and is a solid tackler, winning 1.33 tackles per game at a 67.7% success rate. Naturally, the Whites coaching staff would need to refine his game in both defensive and attacking phases, but the promise of a bright future is certainly evident.