Leeds United could land themselves a very good upgrade on Junior Firpo before the transfer deadline, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

What's the word?

The Yorkshire outfit have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund full-back Raphael Guerreiro during the summer window and the transfer insider believes he'd be a 'great signing' for the club.

In an interview with Football FanCast, O'Rourke said:

"If Guerreiro was to arrive, he'd definitely be an upgrade on Junior Firpo and it would be a great signing for the club."

The Portugal international is thought to be available for around €25m (£21m).

Firpo upgrade

Indeed, O'Rourke would be correct in saying that the 28-year-old would be an upgrade on manager Jesse Marsch's current first choice.

After arriving last summer from FC Barcelona, things have not gone swimmingly for Firpo. He has struggled to adapt to the physicality and the intensity of the Premier League, as summed up by Daily Mirror journalist David Anderson, who once dubbed him a "liability" to GIVEMESPORT.

"All he seems to do is get booked all the time. I think he’s up to 10 yellow cards or something. You don’t expect that from a player coming from Barcelona; you expect a bit of class, a bit of maturity, a bit of leadership, and he’s provided none of that, really.

"I think he’s been a big let-down."

Meanwhile, he's provided just two assists across 27 appearances, which is something well below the level of the Dortmund star, by comparison.

Guerreiro, who has been described as an "amazing player" who can "make things happen" by his head coach Edin Terzic, has delivered 35 goals and 37 assists across 192 matches at the Westfalenstadion.

Such form has seen him likened to the likes of Joao Cancelo and Reece James in terms of statistical profile, so he may need little time to adapt to the English top-flight, given the success of the two attack-minded defenders.

Also per FBref, the 26-year-old dynamo ranks inside the top 2% for progressive passes (6.76) per 90 and the top 12% for shot-creating actions (2.69) per 90, when compared to his positional peers across Europe's elite divisions, meaning he's capable of bringing the ball forward from the back, getting in the right areas and creating chances.

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Firpo, however, has managed only 3.86 progressive passes per 90 and 2.35 shot-creating actions per 90, making him a far worse player in that regard, over the same timeframe.

Therefore, it's easy to see why O'Rourke would believe that Guerriero is something of an upgrade on Firpo at left-back and as such, Elland Road director of football Victor Orta must look to get this deal done before it's too late, with less than a week to go in the summer transfer window.

AND in other news, Orta could seal "exciting" signing as Leeds eye late move for "incredible" £15m talent...