Leeds man ‘probably the favourite’ to replace departing star – Would be ‘one of big bombshells’ of January

Leeds United defender Junior Firpo is ‘probably the favourite’ for Real Betis to replace Álex Moreno when he joins Aston Villa.

That’s according to Fichajes, who say the defender’s history with Betis could push him to the top of their wish list of replacements.

Moreno is on the verge of joining Aston Villa, with Unai Emery pushing to get the left-back as his first major signing of the January transfer window.

His departure will leave Betis with a huge hole to fill in their side and sporting director Antonio Cordón is already scouring the market for replacements.

Firpo was named as one of the potential options earlier today and Fichajes back that up, stating that the player is an ‘opportunity appearing’ for the Spanish side.

They explain that the 26-year-old has not enjoyed the playing time he would have expected this season under Jesse Marsch at Leeds and the opportunity to return to Betis would be something of a ‘lifeline’ for him.

If Moreno leaves as expected, Firpo is ‘probably the favourite’ of the coaching staff and fans due to his history with the club. The Leeds man played for the club from 2014 to 2019, starting in their youth set up before making 45 appearances in the first team.

That could put him at the top of the wish list and signing him from Leeds would be considered ‘one of the big bombshells’ of the winter market.