French club Olympique Lyon have submitted an offer to sign Leeds United’s Junior Firpo, who is out of contract at the end of June.
The left-back played a key role in Daniel Farke’s side as they secured promotion to the Premier League, but has yet to sign an extension at Elland Road.
Firpo has also been linked with a move to Europa Conference League finalists Real Betis, whom he wished good luck to before their 4-1 loss to Chelsea. In a message on Instagram stories, he wrote, “Today is your day, Betis, I will be cheering like one of your own. For all my former teammates, friends, and people I care about in this club.”
The left-back previously played for Betis before joining Barcelona in 2019, making 43 appearances, scoring five times and registering seven assists.
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Serie A giants AC Milan are also rumoured in signing Firpo as a free agent if the rumours of their defender Theo Hernandez’s departure to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia are true. Milan’s league rivals, Lazio, are also keeping an eye on Firpo’s situation with his contract ticking down.
With Firpo expected to prioritise European football next season, Lyon and Betis have the upper hand. Both clubs will play in the Europa League next term, while Milan and Lazio have missed out on continental competition.
Junior Firpo’s Leeds United career
Firpo has spent four seasons with the Whites, most recently helping them win the Championship and return to the Premier League.
The 28-year-old joined Leeds United from Barcelona in 2021 for £12.5 million, making him the first Dominican to play in the Premier League. Ultimately, Leeds were relegated to the Championship, where Firpo has made 58 appearances, scoring four goals and registering 17 assists.
Though initially inconsistent following his arrival in England, Firpo has grown in influence under Daniel Farke’s leadership, offering defensive solidity and attacking output from the left flank.
The Whites will want to keep hold of Firpo, but will be unable to rival any offer that comes from a side competing in Europe next season.
The Yorkshire side will have to recruit heavily this summer to avoid a relegation battle next season, which has already led to a host of transfer rumours, including the potential sacking of their title-winning manager, Daniel Farke.
Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas is one of the names linked to Leeds to replace the potentially outgoing Firpo. The Reds’ left-back is rumoured to be on the way out with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez linked with a move to Merseyside as the Premier League winners aim to bolster for the next campaign.