Junior Firpo wants to return to La Liga if he is unable to agree a new Leeds United contract before the end of the season, according to TEAMtalk.
The outlet reported on their website (12 September) that the Dominican Republic international has given the Whites the green light to extend his current deal, which current expires next summer, but if not he has a preferred exit destination.
Real Betis have investigated re-signing the left-back in each of the past two summer transfer windows and a Spanish return can’t be ruled out if a new deal isn’t reached.
Firpo, 28, can begin negotiating a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January but the immediate decision will be “put on ice” for a few weeks while he sees how the season shapes up at Elland Road, where his preference is to remain.
Leeds United contract on the cards for key Daniel Farke defender
The priority on both sides looks like being a new deal for Firpo at Leeds and would make sense whatever the future holds.
In the Championship the former Barcelona man has emerged as a vital part of Daniel Farke’s unit as he regularly provides assists from the left flank.
But with Premier League promotion the obvious objective all round there may be doubts that Firpo can replicate that form in the top flight after struggling previously, and he was seen as someone who could be sacrificed during the summer [Phil Hay, 8 June].
However, even if the Whites do go up and a Spanish return is deemed the best option for the full-back it would be more beneficial to the club if it was for a fee rather than on a free transfer.
At long last the club currently has various options for the left-back spot after so long where the injury-prone Firpo was the only recognised man.
Sam Byram spent the first half of last season as the starter and can cover both full-back spots, while Max Wober is back from loan and is also comfortable on the left.
Isaac Schmidt was signed on Deadline Day and captain Pascal Struijk also has experience there in an emergency.
Currently it would be a great shame for Firpo to depart after his Whites career has come good but it looks like he will have options if an extension can’t be agreed.
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