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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

The truth behind Leicester City interest in Swansea City's Joel Piroe as Nottingham Forest and Everton make enquiries

Swansea City are bracing themselves for a bid from Leicester City for striker Joel Piroe over the coming weeks, with a clutch of other clubs also keeping tabs on his situation.

The Foxes are keen admirers of the Dutchman, who has netted 41 goals in two seasons in the Championship.

Reports in the Netherlands had suggested they had already made an offer, but no formal bid is on the table from anyone at this stage.

That is admittedly expected to change next week, with sources indicating Leicester are likely to submit a bid over the coming days, although they aren't the only ones showing an interest.

READ MORE: Michael Duff set to bring in former Swansea City coach as part of his backroom team

WalesOnline understands an unnamed Serie A side is also in the running, while Russell Martin's Southampton have also shown interest, although the ongoing tension between the two clubs may well complicate the prospect of a move to St Mary's.

Premier League duo Everton and Nottingham Forest have also made tentative enquiries, but are yet to firm up any interest with a serious approach.

Piroe, who's currently with the rest of the squad at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, is almost certain to leave the Swans this summer, and has already told the club he won't be signing any extension to his current deal at the club, which has one year left to run.

The 23-year-old is open to seeing out the remainder of his contract, but it seems highly unlikely that Swansea will be receptive to the idea of losing their top striker for nothing next summer.

But while a sale this in this window is surely on the cards, Piroe will consider his options.

He's understood to have ambitions of forcing his way into the Dutch national team within the next three years, and subsequently wants to move somewhere he can develop and, at the same time, enjoy regular first-team football.

An offer from Serie A side Salernitana has already been knocked back, but there is still a chance he could yet move to Italy, with a team described as being in the league's 'top five' showing serious interest.

It's not yet clear whether Leicester are now the front-runners, but Piroe has been on the radar at the King Power Stadium for some time. Indeed, the Foxes explored the possibility of a move this time last year, but were put off by Swansea's £20million price tag.

Given his contract situation, the forward's valuation is expected to be much lower this time around, although it's not yet clear just what sort of bid would be needed to prise him away.

For Swansea, getting the best deal possible from any sale now looks to be a pressing priority.

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