According to The Athletic, Leeds United technical director Gretar Steinsson’s decision to approach Swansea City’s ownership rather than their recruiting team accelerated the club’s pursuit of Joel Piroe.
In the summer, Leeds United made an eye-catching deal for Dutch striker Piroe. He’d had a standout season at Swansea City, and with 46 goals in 96 appearances, many assumed he’d be bound for the Premier League.
However, it was the Whites that completed the Piroe trade. It made a message to the rest of the Championship, and he’s shown to be worth the money so far at Elland Road.
Phil Hay of The Athletic has revealed an intriguing tidbit about Leeds United’s pursuit.
According to a new claim, technical director Gretar Steinsson chose to approach Swansea City’s owners personally before speaking with the recruitment staff. Steinsson’s action accelerated the acquisition, which was said to have cost an initial price of £10.5 million.
Piroe, as previously said, was a player many thought would be headed for top-flight football after leaving Swansea City. Joining a team with promotion ambitions like Leeds United means he still has a strong chance of making up to the Premier League, but you’d think he’d go right there.
But it was Leeds who closed the deal, and Steinsson’s decision to contact the ownership directly got the ball rolling before any stumbling blocks arose in negotiations with the Swans’ recruitment department.
It is hoped that Steinsson and company will have some more clever plays under their sleeves in the coming years. Leeds United are rebuilding after a difficult period, and getting recruiting right will be critical in their effort to return to the top flight of English football.
He played barely one minute of football since getting hooked at half-time at the start of September after joining Championship side Swansea on a season-long loan over the summer and playing their opening five games.
His previous appearance was in a 2-1 loss to Bristol City five weeks ago, when he was pulled out at half-time. He was an unused substitute in five consecutive games until coming off the bench for 60 seconds in last weekend’s 3-1 triumph against Plymouth.
The 21-year-old scored once and assisted once in his first five outings for the Swans, but he has fallen out of Michael Duff’s first-team plans.
Newcastle will be hoping that the right-back returns to their starting XI in the coming weeks and months, given the underpinning of any loan deal is consistent playing time, something he has been denied in the last 5-6 weeks.
