Joel Piroe is expected to be a wanted man this summer.
The Dutchman enjoyed a dream debut season at Swansea City, scoring 24 times in his 47 appearances for the club. Given his remarkable exploits in front of goal, it is thought he will be sold in the near future as the Swans bid to balance the books.
Shortly after putting pen to paper on a three-year contract having left PSV Eindhoven, Piroe opened up on his expectations for life at Swansea. And just 10 months on from joining the club, it's fair to say the 22-year-old has ticked every box emphatically when it came to his wishes for his time in south Wales.
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In his first interview with the club, he said: "I want to play a lot of games and score a lot as well. I think it's really important for myself. It's time for me to play a lot.
"It's a big move, you go to another country, you don't know anyone here yet. At PSV, I had really good friends, but you have to look at your career and opportunities and this was the best move for me."
Despite a tough start to life at the club, Piroe wasted no time in proving his worth to boss Russell Martin. The head coach admitted earlier this year that he held concerns over the Dutchman's attitude after the pair's early conversations, although the forward quickly took the necessary advice on board and set about tearing up the Championship and allaying any fears his head coach may have held.
Since that opening month of the campaign, Piroe never looked back. However, the coaching staff and the player himself deserve immense credit for a tactical tweak which saw the frontman go from strength-to-strength.
Having already scored 12 goals before Christmas from the number nine position, Piroe played the majority of the second half of the 2021/22 season in an advanced midfield role alongside the likes of Jamie Paterson, Hannes Wolf and Cameron Congreve. It was an alteration that brought out the best of Piroe's fellow summer signing Michael Obafemi who bagged 11 goals in 2022 having netted just once in his first 14 appearances for the Swans after joining from Southampton.
Such is his confidence, Piroe always knew he could adapt accordingly. When asked in July 2021 about his key strengths, Piroe responded: "I am good playing deep, coming into the midfield and good in possession. I create my own chances and create chances for others. But, of course, scoring goals."
Aside from the Swans' coaching staff, Piroe was an unknown quantity to most on these shores prior to his arrival from the Netherlands just under a year ago. But his talents in a Swansea shirt have only enhanced his reputation.
As with midfielder and team-mate Flynn Downes, Piroe has served to be the blueprint for what Martin's remit is at Swansea, and the striker's words on the eve of the campaign are clear proof that the marksman always knew he was going to be a real gem.
