New Ipswich Town & Middlesbrough transfer hope? How Leeds United feel about selling Joel Piroe | OneFootball

Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town were both linked with a move for Joel Piroe in the January transfer window

Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town are both competing for promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Teesside outfit currently occupy the second automatic spot, nine points behind leaders Coventry City with only seven games to go.

However, Kieran McKenna’s side are only two points further back, and they have a game in hand going into this March international break.

The Tractor Boys are seeking a place back in the top flight at the very first attempt after suffering relegation with a 19th place finish last season.

Meanwhile, Kim Hellberg is looking to orchestrate a first promotion for Boro since they went down in 2017.

Both clubs were also linked with Leeds United forward Joel Piroe in January in a bid to boost their promotion hopes, but they both missed out as he remained at Elland Road.

Leeds United’s Joel Piroe stance

According to Football Insider, Leeds are set to sanction Piroe’s exit this summer, which could be of interest to the two promotion-chasing sides.

The forward joined the Whites in 2023 from Swansea City, and was a crucial part of their 2025 promotion success under Daniel Farke.

However, he has struggled for consistent game time in the Premier League this season, falling behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the pecking order.

The Yorkshire outfit are targeting another forward addition at the end of the campaign, with Derby County’s Patrick Agyemang being linked with a move.

This could open the door for either Middlesbrough or Ipswich to swoop in for the Dutchman, who has a contract with Leeds until June 2027.

The 26-year-old has yet to find the back of the net for Farke’s side in the league this season, with the team hovering just above the relegation zone.

The gap to 18th place West Ham is just four points with only seven games remaining, with Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest sandwiched between the clubs.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough are just two clear of Ipswich in second, with Hellberg’s side also having seven fixtures remaining.

But the Championship duo may have to fend off interest from Scottish giants Rangers for Piroe, if they reignite their interest in him this summer, as they were also linked with the forward.

Any transfer business this year will depend on whether Ipswich or Middlesbrough can achieve promotion back to the Premier League, with Millwall and Hull City also in the mix.

Joel Piroe’s Elland Road exit is inevitable

If Middlesbrough or Ipswich want to go back in for Piroe, then they should be more likely to have success this summer compared to last January.

It’s clear that the forward is not part of Farke’s plans, and if he wants to play regularly again then he needs to get away from Elland Road.

He showed in the Championship that he can score consistently, and he’d be a great asset for any side in the second tier.

But if Ipswich or Middlesbrough are planning for life in the top flight, then they may have some question marks over whether or not to reignite their interest, as he has struggled in the Premier League this season.