Leeds United have been urged to part ways with fullback Junior Firpo this summer, as the Dominican has now entered the final year of his contract at Elland Road. Given their failure to secure promotion back to the Premier League, the West Yorkshire club must sell players to mitigate financial losses.
The club faces substantial financial obligations, with £190 million in outstanding credit and £73 million of that sum due by the end of the month. Although Red Bull’s minority stake has provided a welcome cash injection, Leeds still need to reduce their wage bill.
Among the players likely to depart, Crysencio Summerville stands out as the most prominent. Several Premier League clubs have shown interest in the Dutchman, and his future at Leeds was always contingent on Daniel Farke’s side winning their play-off final against Southampton, which they did not.
However, other high-earners from Leeds’ Premier League days may also be shown the door before the new season begins. Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson, and Rasmus Kristensen are still on the club’s books.
Junior Firpo, another player from Leeds’ Premier League stint, is also under scrutiny. The fullback joined Leeds from Barcelona in 2021 for a reported £13 million. Unlike some others, Firpo remained with the team, making 33 appearances under Farke last season and providing eight assists.
Despite his contributions, former goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes the board should sell Firpo this summer to avoid losing him for free next year. Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said [quotes via Football League World]:
“It’s a difficult one because a player is in control when he’s got 12 months left on his contract.
“If the club can’t move him on, and he’s not going to sign a new contract and potentially leave on a free next summer, it’s not good for the club. The club need to get this sorted.
“The value of him staying for another season and helping the club get back to the Premier League, will he have that much impact in a Championship season that it’s worth the financial miss on selling him this summer? Is he replaceable? Yes, he’s replaceable.
“If he’s not going to stay beyond 12 months and is looking to leave on a free, you cash in now.
“If he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to stay and doesn’t want to stay any longer than next summer, you cash in and get what you can now because he’s not going to have that big of a part in a Premier League push.”
Robinson’s remarks underscore the precarious situation Leeds finds itself in. Selling Firpo now would provide much-needed financial relief and allow the club to invest in players committed to their long-term project. As the transfer window progresses, the decisions Leeds make could significantly impact their future stability and prospects of returning to the Premier League.