Joel Piroe could leave Leeds: Middlesbrough, Birmingham City & West Ham must react | OneFootball

Middlesbrough, Birmingham and West Ham should all be ready to pounce for Leeds United's Joel Piroe if he is available for transfer this summer.

The transfer window is always decisive in the Championship, as clubs battle for players to put themselves in the best position to achieve their goals.

Of course, each club will have their own budgets and priorities, but, in an ideal world, you would be in the market for a player who is proven at this level, even if it comes at a premium.

And, one individual who has an excellent track record in the second tier, and could be available for a transfer, is Joel Piroe.

The forward is currently with Leeds United, having helped Daniel Farke’s men to promotion in 2024/25, where he found the net 19 times on the way to the Whites’ lifting the title.

However, despite his role in the Championship, Piroe has fallen down the pecking order at Elland Road, and he made just 16 appearances last season, the majority of which were from the bench.

Therefore, even though Piroe has stated he would like to stay with Leeds, it was telling that he admitted a departure could be on the cards if the Yorkshire side want him to move on.

With Leeds expected to seek attacking reinforcements, Piroe may recognise that he needs to move on for the sake of his career, and here we look at THREE Championship clubs who should be ready to pounce…

Middlesbrough

The main reason Boro failed to win promotion last season was the number of chances they missed, and there will be a regret that they didn’t address that in January.

Pleasingly for Kim Hellberg, Will Lankshear is going to join from Spurs, in what is a major coup for the club, and you would expect him to be the main man up top moving forward.

However, aside from Lankshear, Boro still lack quality and depth in attack, so another quality forward is essential.

As mentioned, Piroe has proven himself at this level with Leeds and Swansea, and you would back him to flourish in Hellberg’s system, as he encourages possession football, with Boro always looking to create.

He has the ability to play alongside Lankshear, or slightly deeper, and the duo have the attributes to form a great partnership, which could take Middlesbrough to the Premier League.

Birmingham City

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Birmingham have been big spenders since their US owners bought the club, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they went for it once again in this window.

But, it’s not like Blues need a major overhaul this summer. Instead, it’s about adding a few quality individuals who can help Chris Davies’ side bridge the gap to the play-offs, as a minimum.

Most would agree that attacking reinforcements should be the priority, and Blues lack a clinical goalscorer, with Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield the top scorers last season on 10.

Clearly, that must improve, and you would back Piroe to do so with ease if he made the move to St. Andrew’s.

West Ham

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With Crysencio Summerville set to follow Mateus Fernandes out of West Ham, the Londoners have brought in two ridiculous fees that should kickstart their summer spending.

Again, attackers will be a priority for Nuno Espírito Santo, who is lacking depth and quality up top, particularly as there are still doubts over Taty Castellanos’ future.

Given the resources they have, Piroe may not be the most exciting signing, but it would make total sense for the Hammers to go out and try to sign someone who has shown they guarantee goals at this level.

Piroe obviously does that, and even if he needs to be replaced in 12 months time, if he scores the goals that take West Ham to the Premier League, it would be money well spent.