"Life after Junior Firpo" - Leeds United urged to take mid-term view on signing Sunderland AFC's Dennis Cirkin | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has discussed Junior Firpo's future amid links to Sunderland's Dennis Cirkin.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Dennis Cirkin is reportedly a target for Leeds United, with the Sunderland left-back impressing early on in the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

Leeds might have one eye already on the January window this month as they move towards the hectic Christmas schedule, and they are said to be keeping a close eye on Sunderland left-back Cirkin ahead of 2025.

He has been linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light to their fellow promotion hopefuls, as reported by the Sunday Mirror (November 10, page 69), via Sports View.

The England youth international and Spurs academy graduate has been in fine form this season for the Black Cats, being an ever-present in Regis Le Bris' starting line-up and becoming recognised as one of the league's best full-backs and an all-action player at both ends and in all phases of play.

The 22-year-old has now made 85 league appearances for Sunderland, and has nailed down a starting spot under new manager Le Bris after a difficult couple of years with injury prior to 2024/25.

The Leeds United verdict on Sunderland's Dennis Cirkin

We asked FLW’s Leeds United fan pundit Kris Smith for his thoughts on the recent links to Cirkin, with Kris unsure any move is imminent at the present time, albeit the Sunderland full-back could be an excellent option for the club in the summer of 2025.

He said: "I don't really think left-back is going to be a priority at all for Leeds going into the New Year, given that we have four natural full-backs in the squad and three of them can play on the left.

"Plus, then you've got Max Wöber that can cover there as well, if needed, and if we get to that point of a crisis.

"Having said that, though, I think Leeds need to start planning in the long-term for life after Junior Firpo.

"Obviously, he's out of contract in the summer and it is hard to see him getting a new deal at this stage.

"He is a high earner in the Championship, so it would make sense to move him on.

"If we get promoted, he's proven that he's not good enough defensively to play against Premier League wingers.

"Therefore, it does suggest to me that having a long-term successor in mind makes sense.

"If we are promoted, then someone like Dennis Cirkin would be perfect for us. Obviously, that is only if Sunderland aren't promoted with us.

"It's absolutely not going to be a signing that Leeds pursue in January, because he is too expensive for that.

"Let alone would we be able to pull it off from a promotion rival like Sunderland.

"But he is someone that I would definitely be keeping an eye on, heading into the summer, depending on how the season goes for both teams."

Dennis Cirkin's quality and attributes

In the meantime, with a title race developing between Sunderland and Leeds, in which the two teams currently sit two points apart, it would appear unlikely that a move for Cirkin would materialise in January.

The 22-year-old has been a core part of the Black Cats’ stunning start to the season as they kept their noses clear at the top on goal difference alone on the weekend.

Sunderland drew 2-2 to Coventry City, but the defender did his bit with a stunning solo goal and long-range strike, which caught the eyes of many neutrals and is certain to have been seen by Leeds' recruitment team:

The fact that a full-back is able to complete successful dribbles and create chances but also consistently break up play demonstrates Cirkin's all-round capabilities and shows the quality he possesses in all phases of play.

That natural ability is invaluable and has already made him one of the best left-backs in the league, alongside Leeds' Firpo. They will need a successor for the Dominican Republic international eventually and the Sunderland man could be that.