Leeds United have a decision to make on Junior Firpo with just 12 months on his deal remaining.
Firpo is now into the last of a four-year-deal at Elland Road following his arrival from Real Betis in the summer of 2021, and it has been an up and down time for him in West Yorkshire.
He enjoyed his best run in the side last season from January onwards, providing eight assists to display his credentials as one of the best left-backs in the Championship.
Daniel Farke will be keen for some continuity in his team for the upcoming campaign and keeping Firpo would do that, particularly with former loanee Joe Rodon also coming back to the club.
However, given Leeds‘ failure to win promotion, how likely it looked that Firpo was going to leave 12 months ago, and his contract situation, all the signs are pointing to an exit.
Leeds make telling decision on Firpo
Firpo has endured two dismal pre-seasons across the last two years which has led to him playing catch up on his fitness on both occasions.
In 2022, Firpo picked up a knee injury in an early summer friendly against Blackpool which ruled him out of action until October. Last year, his first start of the season did not come until late November due to a similar problem.
And for the third successive year, it does not look as though Firpo will be having a pre-season at Leeds, though this time it is for a different reason.
Firpo has been selected in the Dominican Republic squad for the upcoming Olympic games which get underway on July 24. That is despite the fact clubs are not obliged to release players for the tournament due to it being outside an official window for international football, under FIFA rules.
The 27-year-old is already due back later than the majority of the rest of the squad having been away on international duty last month, but it would now be a surprise to see him in pre-season at all.
His green light to fly out to Paris for the Olympics is all the more telling when you consider Leeds have prevented Mateo Joseph from representing Spain.
Clearly Leeds want Joseph to be at the club for pre-season ahead of a potentially huge breakout campaign. Firpo is someone they have other ideas for.
Firpo unlikely to be handed a new deal by Leeds
Leeds are set to announce their first significant sale of the summer today with Archie Gray having signed his contract to become a new Spurs player.
However, he is not likely to be the only one and reports have suggested Firpo is someone they are looking to move on, which would align with their decision regarding his Olympics involvement.
As mentioned, he has just a year left on his deal and the suggestion is he will not be offered fresh terms.
That means this summer is Leeds’ last opportunity to get some sort of fee for him, as he would be available to move on a free this time next year.