Director says player “extremely eager” to join from Leeds United — Sounds proud of club’s pull — Sport Witness 28/6/25

By Naveen Ullal

Junior Firpo’s contract at Elland Road expires on Monday and will leave Leeds United as a free agent. The left-back is set to join Real Betis, and this has been reported elsewhere.

On June 12th, we covered claims from Spain that the 28-year-old is one step away from returning to Real Betis. He spent five years with the La Liga club before leaving them for Barcelona in 2019. Two years later, they sold him to Leeds.

Last week, El Día stated the Leeds player has agreed a contract worth around €14m for three years.

On Friday, the Spanish club presented their new signing, Álvaro Valles, to the local media and he was accompanied by their sporting director, Manu Fajardo. Reporters asked the Real Betis director about Junior Firpo and Mundo Deportivo have relayed his comments.

The director said his side are in talks to sign the Dominican Republic international, who will leave the Whites as a free agent. He also indicated the move is advanced.

“It’s true that there are talks with Junior Firpo. He’s a free agent,” he said.

“His signing hasn’t materialised, there are still some details to be worked out. Let him serve as an example that he’s a player who left in his day and is now extremely eager to return.”

On June 11th, Diario de Sevilla reported the Leeds man is willing to take a pay cut and snub better offers to join Real Betis. This has now been backed by the Andalusian club’s official.

“Does the salary have to be lowered? We’re proud that players who left are willing to come back, putting other things before financial matters. If Real Betis, for example, has a chance of bringing Junior Firpo back, it’s because the player is more than willing to put these kinds of issues behind him,” Fajardo explained.

“The sustainability of the club must come first, obviously without giving up on big signings. The players who are willing to come here do so because they’ve previously decided to give up other aspects, such as financial matters.”