Norwich City stance emerges as Leeds United eye Kenny McLean and Josh Sargent transfers
Norwich City are “determined” not to lose either Kenny McLean or Josh Sargent this summer amid interest from Leeds United, according to Football League World.
The outlet reported via their website on 25 August that David Wagner’s side are “desperate” to keep hold of both Scotland International midfielder McLean or USMNT forward Sargent because they are “key” to the German’s system.
The Whites are similarly “desperate” to add to the midfield, while they reportedly want more back up for the injured Patrick Bamford up front, and are credited with being the “main interest” of all clubs for the Carrow Road pair this summer.
The need to add a striker has been reduced significantly with the £10.5million plus add-ons [Phil Hay, 24 August] deal to bring Joel Piroe in from Swansea, but despite signing Ethan Ampadu already there are still only three first-team central midfield options.
Tricky
The Norwich links are obvious thanks to the presence of Daniel Farke in the Leeds United dug-out, with Sam Byram already signed on a free after leaving the Norfolk club and a deal for Max Aarons only being hijacked at the last minute.
With both current Canaries having two years left on their contract and the club clearly not interested in letting them go it looks like either deal would be difficult to get done.
The deal for Piroe could end up costing as much as £16m so it seems unlikely the Whites would go to great lengths to sign another striker from a Championship rival if a deal isn’t easy.
Midfield has to be added to before the deadline given the few options available and their young ages, amid weeks of speculation over a move for Glen Kamara from Rangers.
In contrast to McLean the Fin seems to be virtually guaranteed to leave Ibrox so would presumably be preferred to the Scot.
The intent in the final week of the window has exploded but how many deals the hierarchy can actually get over the line after Piroe is a different matter.
In other Leeds United news, a “surprising” development has seen a Whites transfer collapse despite agreement from the player and his club.