Gretar Steinsson’s bold, but impressive move has got Leeds transfer over the line

Gretar Steinsson has only been at Leeds United for a few weeks as the club’s new technical director, but it was his move on the Joel Piroe chess board that got a deal over the line – finally signing on at Leeds.

Piroe, 24, was identified as the striker Leeds wanted up top this summer to replace Patrick Bamford and give Daniel Farke a reliable no.9. He is expected to be the club’s first-choice option in the final third now.

It is believed a deal could reach a fee of £16m. Piroe’s form over the last couple of seasons for Swansea is about as much a guarantee as possible – that Leeds signed a gem. Leeds had to work hard to get him.

It appears that ex-Spurs transfer man Steinsson – who has joined Leeds as our new technical director at Elland Road – played a key role. Indeed, it was his bold move that saw Leeds get a deal done for Piroe.

There was a difference between Swansea’s sporting director Paul Watson and Piroe’s camp over how a deal should be structured. Steinsson decided to go straight to Swansea’s American owners. It worked.

“There was concern of a stand-off between Piroe’s camp and the Swans over the terms of a sale. But Steinsson’s insistence on going straight to City’s American owners rendered those concerns redundant.”

Gretar Steinsson move saw Leeds get deal over line for Joel Piroe

It was a bold move from Steinsson given Swansea’s owners have played havoc with Leeds in the past – not picking up the phone after Dan James had completed a medical and even picked the no.21 shirt.

Of course, James has since arrived at Leeds. He has now been joined by Piroe in the final third and it is hoped the two will be able to connect over the coming nine months – to drive us towards the top two.