Junior Firpo is open to renewing his contract with Leeds United but is also preparing for a potential departure as a free agent. The Dominican Republic international moved to Leeds from Barcelona in 2021 in a £12.9 million deal. His contract, which included a clause giving Barcelona 25% of any future transfer fee, is set to expire at the end of this season.
With his contract running out, Firpo will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1, and a free transfer away from Leeds remains a possibility.
Although Firpo struggled during Leeds’ 2022/23 relegation season, his performances have significantly improved under manager Daniel Farke, making him one of the team’s standout players. Firpo is reportedly interested in extending his stay at Leeds, though he wants to gauge the club’s future plans before committing to any new terms.
He and his family have settled in West Yorkshire, but Firpo’s decision will depend on how competitive Leeds can be this season. He is waiting to see if the club can challenge for promotion before deciding on his future.
Firpo has also been linked to a return to Real Betis, his former club, which showed interest in him during recent transfer windows. He made 43 appearances for Betis between 2017 and 2019 before moving to Barcelona, where he played alongside Lionel Messi. If Leeds and Firpo fail to agree on an extension, a move back to Spain remains on the table.
For now, Firpo is focused on Leeds’ early season performance. He has made a strong comeback after overcoming injury, racking up 11 assists for club and country over the past year.
Recently, Firpo pledged his international future to the Dominican Republic and even played in a striker role during a match for the national team.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has praised Firpo, labeling him an “outstanding” player at this level. Farke has cited Firpo’s experience, technical abilities, and attacking contributions as key assets, and he sees Firpo as a vital part of the team’s plans.
Leeds signed Isaac Schmidt as backup for Firpo, but Firpo is still considered the first-choice left-back. Another potential backup, Max Wober, has been linked with a possible transfer away from the club.
Firpo’s rise to prominence began at Real Betis, where he made his La Liga debut in a 1-0 win against Deportivo La Coruña in 2018, becoming the first player born in the Dominican Republic to play in the Spanish league. A month later, he scored his first goal for Betis in a 3-0 victory over Espanyol. His impressive performances led to a transfer to Barcelona in 2019.
After struggling to establish himself at Barcelona, Firpo joined Leeds in 2021, where he has since developed into an important player. He scored his first Leeds goal in an FA Cup match against Accrington Stanley in January 2023, followed by his first Premier League goal in a 1-0 win against Southampton.
In 2024, Firpo made his international debut for the Dominican Republic in a 2-0 win over Aruba.
