3 factors that will dictate Joel Piroe’s future at Swansea City

Swansea City may not be eyeing a play-off spot with the season coming to a close but one man who has impressed in Wales has been Joel Piroe.

The forward joined the club back in the summer and despite this being his first season in English football, he has already begun to shine and prove that he can lead the line for the Swans.

With 18 goals and four assists in just 39 Championship games this campaign, he has already proven that he can do the business in the Championship – and now he could be given the chance to prove himself in the top flight too. Leicester are reportedly keen to bring him to the club and he could be seen as a potential Jamie Vardy replacement.

However, Russell Martin will not want to lose him in a hurry – and here are three factors that could dictate where his future lies.

The funds available to the Swans – and whether they can sign a replacement

The first important factor is whether or not Joel Piroe could be replaced if he was to depart. The Welsh outfit would most definitely need to find someone who could step in and fill in in attack if he left and potentially bag the goals for them.

Michael Obafemi has stood in when needed but he too is only at the club on loan. That would leave a big gap in their forward line that would need replacing and whilst Piroe might fetch a decent fee – which could then be used to bring in a replacement – there are likely other areas of the squad that Russell Martin will want to improve.

The question then is whether the funds are there – and whether there are any affordable players they could identify – to sign a player to replace Piroe. If it could be done quite straightforwardly, then that could allow him to move on.

Leicester easing out Jamie Vardy

Another factor is