Leeds United should feel confident that a deal is there to be done for striker Joel Piroe, after Swansea City's former manager Russell Martin's transfer admission back in April.
Leeds are one of numerous clubs linked with the 23-year-old striker, who has proven one of the most prolific goalscorers in the division with 44 goals in the last two seasons. As well as Leeds, Atalanta, Leicester City, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Everton have all been linked with the Dutchman.
Piroe has himself said that whatever decision he makes on his future this summer will be made for footballing reasons, suggesting that the right playing style and game-time will be bigger factors than finances. Leeds can certainly feel confident that agreeing a deal with Swansea will be possible, with Piroe in the final year of his contract and Martin admitting back in April before his move to Southampton that Piroe leaving was a realistic possibility.
Martin said: "I'm sure there will be (eyes on him). Well, I know there is. If it was down to me he would have been sorted a long time ago, but it's not. Our main job is to win as many games as we possibly can, the next big remit is to develop young talent and give them an opportunity to play.
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While it's frustrating that you may end up losing players of Joel's ilk, like Flynn Downes last summer, maybe Joel this summer, who knows, with a year left on his contract we have to accept that may be a possibility. It's part of our job to do that and help the club become sustainable, because that's the model.
"In an ideal world you would keep this group of young players together for as long as possible to try and give yourselves the best possible chance of getting to the Premier League together, but if you have to lose one or two players along the way to go again, that's the model.
"All I know is Joel is really happy, we have a brilliant relationship with him. His representatives and parents understand how good Joel has been for us and how good we've been for him. Joel's just really enjoying himself. He was probably similar to me at some point this season, he said he got caught up in other stuff that was frustrating him and worrying about all of the stuff he couldn't control.
"But when he's just focused back on performing and being himself, he's been outstanding. He's going to score 20 goals again this season. We offered him a contract a while ago, but it's every player's prerogative not to sign that. We're in that situation now and we have to deal with it."
