Leeds face tough competition as Betis bid to re-sign former defender | OneFootball

Real Betis Submit Three-Year Offer to Tempt Firpo Away from Leeds

Betis make move for familiar face

Real Betis are making a concerted effort to bring Junior Firpo back to the Benito Villamarín, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish club have tabled a three-year contract offer to the left-back, whose deal with Leeds United expires on 30 June.

“Mundo Deportivo report that Firpo is considering the offer alongside his agents at You First Sports,” the agency that also represents Cucho Hernández, Álvaro Valles and Fabián Ruiz. However, the report also states that Firpo is weighing alternative offers from Leeds and Olympique Lyon, both of which are said to be “more lucrative financially”.

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Sentiment versus salary

Firpo, who has long spoken of a return to Betis as a dream move, now faces a decision between sentiment and salary. Betis’ offer is “below what the player had been earning in England”, but the appeal of a return to the club where he made his La Liga debut and rose to prominence remains strong.

The full-back left Betis in 2019 for Barcelona in a €20 million deal, then moved to Leeds for €15 million two years later. He has featured in 119 matches for the Yorkshire side, scoring six goals and registering 22 assists across four seasons.

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Leeds still hopeful

Despite Betis’ approach, Leeds have not ruled out keeping Firpo. He is out of contract but remains part of the discussions at Elland Road as the club prepares for the 2024–25 season.

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Junior Firpo has been a mixed bag since arriving at Elland Road – moments of attacking quality offset by questions around his defensive reliability. But to lose him now, on a free, just as the club gears up for another push for promotion, would create a fresh problem on the left flank.

What’s clear is that Firpo still has admirers. His return to Spain with Betis makes emotional sense, but Leeds remain hopeful of keeping him. If they can match or come close to the terms on offer, and perhaps offer him a more prominent role in Daniel Farke’s system, there’s still a window to keep him in Yorkshire.

The question is whether Firpo sees his future in England, or whether sentiment, La Liga football and the appeal of home are simply too strong to ignore. Leeds fans will want clarity soon, especially with no natural replacement lined up and preseason fast approaching.