Leeds United learn winner of Jonathan Rowe race as deal agreed
Leeds United have had a miserable transfer window – there is absolutely no point in dressing it up.
And an update provided by Ben Jacobs via X on Wednesday [21 August] will have done little to lift the gloom that has descended upon the club in the past couple of weeks.
The sports journalist posted on the social media platform that Ligue 1 side Marseille have agreed with Norwich City for winger Jonathan Rowe, with the French giants agreeing an initial loan with an obligation to buy for £14million.
Rowe, 21, has been a reported target for the Whites throughout the transfer window and it looked at one stage that a deal could be back on the cards after Marseille had trouble with arranging a deal [Santi Aouna, 13 August].
But it now appears any hopes are dead in the water with Rowe, who had a preference of a move to France [HITC, 20 August], off to join Roberto De Zerbi’s side with Norwich set to receive £3m in add-ons and eventually a sell-on clause.
Jacobs shared: “Marseille have an agreement with Norwich for Jonathan Rowe. Loan with £14m+£3m obligation. Norwich also have a sell-on clause.”
Leeds United transfer trial and error continues
It’s difficult to even pinpoint where Leeds United most urgently need to strengthen, as attention appears to be required almost everywhere.
The club have lost a lot of attacking firepower with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter out the exit door, and 21-year-old Rowe would have provided not just that exciting dimension but also a foundation for the future.
With Marseille set to complete the deal, Farke and his recruitment staff have little time to dither, with multiple faces needed at Elland Road and the club having missed out on several high-profile deals.
The total number of first-team players in Farke’s squad currently stands at 19, incredibly threadbare for what were earlier this summer the overwhelming favourites to win automatic promotion.
The club must now hang on to what they’ve got and potentially bite the bullet in throwing premiums at fellow competitors who will be looking to hold the club to ransom for their prized assets. Farke’s desperation will be absolutely cranking up as another target seems to have passed him by.
In other Leeds news, Dan Plumley discusses the club’s side of the Rutter deal with Brighton.
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