Leeds United expected to target failed transfer
This past summer, Leeds United failed to bolster their attack after missing out on Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe. The Whites reportedly offered £7 million for Rowe in August but didn’t meet Norwich City’s asking price.
As a result, the attacker moved to Olympique de Marseille for double that amount. Marseille has secured Rowe on a season-long loan deal with an obligation to buy.
The total value of the deal for the 21-year-old is reported to be around £17 million, with Norwich also including a sell-on clause. After having several bids rejected for the England Under-21 international, Rowe will now join former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi in the south of France.
With Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter departing, the Leeds board felt pressure to find suitable replacements as the summer transfer window closed.
Although Rowe has made a strong impression at his new club, Leeds United are not lacking in attacking options. Largie Ramazani and Wilfried Gnonto have been standout performers on the wings, and Daniel James and Manor Solomon have returned from injury.
Rowe is making a name for himself in Ligue 1, which may have some people at Elland Road feeling a bit of regret. However, pundit Don Goodman has hinted that the Englishman could be on track for a return to England—possibly back at Leeds.
“I applaud Leeds for sticking to their guns in the summer and I have no doubt Rowe will come back to the UK in the not-too-distant future,” Goodman told MOT Leeds News. “If that happens, Leeds may be there for him again, and this time possibly as a Premier League club.”
In September, Rowe spoke to L’Équipe and the winger explained his decision to embrace moving to France rather than remaining in England’s second division with Norwich City or heading to Leeds United.
