Joel Piroe appears to be on his way out of Leeds United this summer, after the 26-year-old battled for playing time in the Premier League following promotion last season.

It is no secret that he is a prolific goal scorer in the Championship. After all, his 19 goals last season earned him the Golden Boot, and it was the third time in four years in the second division that he had scored at least that many.

However, this season, the newly announced Surinamese international has started only two top-flight games – the first two — and has been reduced to unused substitute and cameo appearances since.

Leeds were apparently willing to let him leave in January, with Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town expressing interest, and after no deal was struck, Rangers, who are owned by the same 49ers Enterprise group as Leeds, have since been identified as a potential suitor.

While all of this is just chatter for now, once the transfer window reopens for the summer, all three should be seeking to revive their interest, especially given Piroe’s contract issue, which will undoubtedly cause Leeds to be open to a deal.

Joel Piroe is out of contract in 2027.

Piroe signed a four-year contract at Elland Road when he joined the Whites from Swansea City in 2023, which means he will be in his final year next season.

Murmurs and rumours surrounding Piroe’s departure would have been swirling this summer regardless, as Leeds are expected to strengthen their attacking areas in the off-season assuming they continue in the Premier League.

However, the 26-year-old’s current contract makes those conversations practically probable, as it would be one of the last possibilities for the Whites to cash in on him before his contract expires.

Leeds spent more than £10 million to lure the frontman to West Yorkshire, and given that he turns 27 in August and has a proven scoring record from his time in the Championship, he’ll still have some worth, even if it’s lessened as he sits on the bench at Elland Road this season.

If Leeds do not sell him, his worth will only fall after the summer, when clubs will be allowed to negotiate a pre-contract or sign him for free at the end of his contract.

Depending on the outcome of the championship, the Rangers could be in the driver’s seat for the Joel Piroe trade.

While Piroe has proven his worth in the second tier, and it is unreasonable to say that someone with 73 goals in 179 Championship games isn’t good enough for the Premier League, his future plans may be determined by how the rest of the season unfolds.

Both Leeds and Sunderland have demonstrated that having players with a solid top-flight pedigree is critical to remaining in the Premier League, and if Ipswich and Middlesbrough do succeed, a transfer for Piroe may no longer be in their plans.

Their links arose during the January transfer window, and it will be interesting to see if they are still there in the summer. If either remains a Championship club, you can nearly count on it.

Instead, Rangers may lead the drive for the 26-year-old’s signing, as this may be a more appealing proposition for the striker himself, since it would allow him to potentially play in Europe in a competitive squad rather than taking on another promotion assignment in the second tier.

Furthermore, the Scottish giants have a 49ers connection that may appeal to Leeds. Paraag Marathe, Elland Road’s chairman, is also Ibrox’s vice-chairman, therefore they may be able to get a more appealing agreement.

In any case, Piroe’s destination will be something to keep an eye on this summer, since it appears that the striker will be departing West Yorkshire due to his contract predicament.