49ers Enterprises sent blunt transfer message amid Leeds United's full-back shortage

Leeds United have been urged to sell Junior Firpo this summer and bring in a cut-price replacement. That is the opinion of EFL pundit Don Goodman as the Whites continue their preparations ahead of the 2024/25 season.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Firpo. The attack-minded left-back has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Elland Road.

Firpo featured prominently in United's promotion charge last term, chipping in with eight assists from 29 matches, but the defender continues to divide opinion on the terraces. The 27-year-old has struggled to consistently hit the heights expected since joining from Barcelona in 2021.

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“He cost a lot of money and so for me it would make sense to pull some money in if you can,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News. “I’m sure Leeds United have irons in the fire in every single position.

“You only have to look at Ipswich Town nicking Leif Davis from them – there are nuggets out there, bits of quality. For example, there’s Peterborough left-back Harrison Burrows, plus others in League One that you can cherry-pick.

“There’s the possibility of a loan signing from the Premier League also in the left-back position. So while he had a very good season last time out, there are alternatives out there for Junior Firpo.

“He’d potentially be a player that if you can bring money in and replace for less wages and outlay in terms of a transfer fee, then it’s a real possibility.

“I always think it’s preferable when a player is in the final year, or even final two years of their contracts, that they are tied down for longer to retain their value or sold. With respect to Junior Firpo, he wouldn’t be one you consider a key player for Leeds United’s success going forward.”

Having lost Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton, United chief Daniel Farke's options at left-back currently consist of Firpo and Sam Byram. Firpo has also been named in the Dominican Republic's final squad list for the Olympics, which begins in Paris on Wednesday July 24 and concludes at the Parc de Princes on Saturday August 10 - the same day that United are scheduled to face Portsmouth in their Championship opener.