How Leeds can instantly replace Joel Piroe in the transfer window

Joel Piroe appears to be heading closer and closer to the exit door as a move away from Leeds United appears likely before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Suriname international has agreed personal terms with Championship outfit West Ham United over a move back down to the second tier, with the two clubs in talks about a potential deal.

At this stage, it is unclear if the Hammers will sign him permanently or on loan with an option or obligation to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

Either way, it looks like the left-footed attacker will not be a part of Daniel Farke‘s set of centre-forward options for the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Why Leeds should get rid of Joel Piroe permanently

Instead of sanctioning a dry loan or a loan with an option, the Whites should ensure that this move ends with a permanent exit from Elland Road, whether that is a straight-up permanent move or a loan with an obligation.

The centre-forward served his purpose in the Championship for the West Yorkshire outfit, winning the Golden Boot with 19 goals in the 2024/25 title-winning season, having joined from Swansea for £10m in 2023.

Unfortunately, though, the Premier League was a step too far for the Dutch-born number nine, as the physicality of the top-flight proved to be too much for him to thrive in.

The 27-year-old marksman ended the 2025/26 campaign with no goals or assists in 16 appearances in the division for Farke’s side, as Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin worked their way ahead of him in the pecking order.

Piroe’s struggles, particularly in physical duels, suggest that he is not cut out for the intensity and physicality of the Premier League, which is why the club should be aiming to sell him, rather than keeping the door open for a return in the future.

Whilst the ex-Swansea star appears to be on his way out of Elland Road, the club are looking at a striker who would be the perfect replacement for him.

LeedsLive reports that Leeds United are in the market to add another centre-forward to their ranks before the end of the summer transfer window.

The outlet claims that the Whites have a slight interest in Feyenoord number nine Ayase Ueda, as Farke weighs up a possible swoop for the Japan international.

However, it adds that the Dutch club’s current valuation of £26m could be a stumbling block, which may be why the German boss is only weighing up a move and is yet to make a formal approach for the attacker.

Should Leeds manage to sell Piroe to West Ham on a permanent deal, the Suriname international’s departure could free up funds for the club to commit to a pursuit of the Eredivisie star.

Ueda would be the perfect replacement for the current Whites striker because he is like an elite-level version, based on his performances for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie last term.

The 27-year-old number nine showcased his physical qualities in the centre-forward position in the 2025/26 campaign, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of physical metrics.

Ueda has the physicality and nous to win the majority of his tussles with opposition centre-backs, on the ground and in the air, which suggests that he has what it takes to thrive in the Premier League as the focal point that Piroe failed to be.

It is not just out of possession and physically where the striker shines brighter than the Leeds attacker, though, as he also scored a whopping 25 goals in the Eredivisie.

The £26m-rated forward scored 25 goals from 18.93 xG in the division, scoring every 101 minutes on average, whilst Piroe has never scored more than 22 goals in a single league season and is yet to score more than goals in a top division.

Ueda, therefore, is like an elite-level version of Piroe because he has proven his qualities as both a physical outlet and as a goalscorer in one of Europe’s top leagues in the Netherlands, whilst the West Ham target has only proven himself as a goalscorer in the Championship.

That is why the Whites should use the funds from a potential sale of the Dutch-born attacker to partially fund a swoop for the Feyenoord ace, as he would be an instant upgrade and the perfect replacement for Farke’s squad.

It is now down to the club to agree a deal with West Ham to sell Piroe before then working to reach an agreement to bring Ueda over to England.