West Ham United are closing in on Leeds United striker Joel Piroe, according to a report from Anthony Joseph. The clubs are ironing out the final details of a loan agreement with an obligation to buy, while personal terms reportedly stand agreed. Piroe awaits clearance to travel to London for his medical, which would mark the final major step before the transfer moves forward.
Joseph’s report, delivered with Sky Sports journalists Zinny Boswell and Chris Reidy, says the Suriname international has accepted the move and expects the green light from Leeds. The structure gives West Ham a route to secure a striker without committing the full outlay immediately.
T4O take: Why West Ham United need a proven Championship scorer
Piroe endured a miserable 2025/26 campaign. He made 21 appearances and scored once across all competitions, including 16 Premier League outings with no goal or assist. Leeds United preferred other options, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor ahead of him. That lack of trust pushed his camp to seek an exit, and West Ham offer an obvious route back to regular football.
How West Ham United can manage the £15m risk
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MARCH 08: Joel Piroe of Leeds United celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Leeds United and Norwich City on March 08, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Piroe’s record in this division looks completely different. He has scored 74 goals in 182 Championship appearances and has won the Golden Boot, giving him a record that matters for a club preparing for 46 league matches. West Ham’s opening 2-2 draw with Burnley exposed their need for dependable finishing, particularly after their move for Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar collapsed. Taty Castellanos and Pablo cannot carry the scoring load alone across such a long campaign.
A £15m obligation that activates after promotion would make sense. West Ham would avoid paying Leeds’ £16m-£20m valuation immediately, while Leeds would retain a route to a permanent sale. Piroe enters the final year of his contract, and his Premier League output last season offered little reason for a major upfront gamble.
West Ham could spread the financial burden through the loan, protect cash flow and limit exposure if promotion slips away. For a side chasing an immediate return, that risk profile makes more sense than another expensive punt. That is why West Ham United look close to getting the striker they need.