West Ham United are now in advanced talks to sign Leeds United striker Joel Piroe, and they could agree a deal as early as Monday.
Piroe is being targeted as an alternative to Troy Parrott, as West Ham have been unable to tempt AZ Alkmaar into a sale, but there are indications the Leeds centre-forward could be a more savvy addition to Nuno‘s squad.
|
Why West Ham should sign Joel Piroe instead of Troy Parrott |
|
|---|---|
|
Better performances in the Championship |
Piroe helped fire Leeds to promotion from the Championship in the 2024-25 campaign, picking up 19 goals and seven assists in 46 appearances, which meant he finished as the division’s top scorer. The Suriname international also collected 41 goals across two seasons in the second tier with Swansea City, so he could be exactly what West Ham need, considering they will be looking to return to the Premier League at the first attempt. Parrott, on the other hand, has just three goals in 43 Championship matches. |
|
Lower price tag |
It has been widely reported that Leeds are demanding £16m for their striker, whereas AZ Alkmaar want £21.5m for Parrott, given that he has emerged as one of their most important players, scoring 31 goals in all competitions last season. |
|
Parrott yet to prove himself in England |
However, despite making a flying start to life in the Netherlands, the Irishman is yet to prove himself in the Championship, and only mustered up eight goals in 41 League One appearances for MK Dons during the 2021-22 campaign. |
Journalist Adonis Storr lauded the Leeds marksman as a “superb finisher” at the beginning of last season, but he was unable to acclimatize to the Premier League, predominantly being used as a substitute, and failing to score in 16 appearances.
However, the former Swansea man has enjoyed four impressive campaigns in the Championship, which explains why the Hammers are now ramping up their pursuit.
|
Joel Piroe’s Championship record |
Appearances |
Goals |
|
2021-22 |
45 |
22 |
|
2022-23 |
43 |
19 |
|
2023-24 |
42 |
13 |
|
2024-25 |
46 |
19 |
West Ham enter advanced negotiations to sign Joel Piroe
According to ExWHUEmployee, West Ham are now in advanced talks to sign Piroe, and a deal for the striker, who rakes in £40,000-a-week, could be agreed today.
The insider added: “It appears that discussions did continue with Az for Troy Parrott last night and these talks did not progress. Attention will now turn to Leeds forward Joël Piroe. The former Swansea forward has a good record at Championship level, formed a good partnership with Manor Solomon at Leeds and is expected to cost a lot less than Parrott.
“West Ham are said to be very close to agreeing a deal. At the moment it seems a loan with an obligation is the most likely, but other options are being explored. This means money can also be used on different positions.”
