Leeds United Sign Junior Firpo From Barcelona
The transfer of Junior Firpo from Barcelona to Leeds United has been confirmed for a fee of 15 million euros, with the Catalan club receiving 20 percent of any future sale.
After three weeks of negotiations, the deal for the former Real Betis left-back has been completed and he has put pen to paper on a four-year deal.
Barcelona signed Junior from Betis in 2019 for 18 million euros and the Andalusian club retained the right to 20 percent of a future fee, meaning they are set for another windfall now.
Despite standing out for Los Verdiblancos and earning a call-up to Spain’s under-21 team, Junior struggled for game time at the Camp Nou and was unable to offer serious competition for Jordi Alba.
The Blaugrana have therefore decided to cash in on a player not in Ronald Koeman’s plans, and the 24-year-old had a number of suitors, including AC Milan, but Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were very keen and got the deal done.
Despite selling at a loss, and still having to give a portion of the sale to Betis, the money from Junior’s sale is welcome news for Barcelona, as is the chance to shift a fringe player from the wage bill as the club’s juggling act to balance the books and keep Lionel Messi continues.
