It has been nearly a month since Leeds United made a signing.
Jayden Bogle’s £5 million transfer from Sheffield United on July 20 marks Leeds’ most recent signing of the summer, in a depressing turn of events.
Leeds had planned to complete the great majority of their business well before the conclusion of the window, but the extended wait for signing number five has forced them to scramble once again.
Daniel Farke wants to bring in at least three new faces by the August 30 deadline, and that number could climb if more players are sold.
Farke is eager to address three positions: full-back, central midfield, and winger, and he has made this plain openly, leaving no excuse for Leeds not to get what they need.
Johannes Hoff Thorup provides a new update on Leeds target Rowe.
Based on the links that have surfaced in the public, winger appears to be Leeds’ top focus at the moment, however work will be done behind the scenes on the other two positions.
With Jesurun Rak-Sakyi at Bramall Lane yesterday night watching Sheffield United’s 4-2 victory over Wrexham, Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe is currently the lone suspected target.
Leeds have made little progress with Rowe since their initial £7 million phone call to Norwich over a week ago, but rumors about his future has generated quite a stir at Carrow Road.
Rowe was ordered to practice with the U21s after withdrawing from the team to face Oxford United last Saturday. He was again absent from Tuesday’s 4-3 Carabao Cup victory against Stevenage.
After yesterday’s game, Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup was asked about Rowe’s future again, and he confirmed that he will not be in the squad this weekend for the third time in a row.
He told Pink Un, “He’s not being considered for that game. After what happened last Saturday, it was an easy decision for me to make, and we talked about it.
“It’s a difficult decision, and it’s a difficult learning curve, but all I can think about is the team, or the players, who are 100 percent committed to being here and performing for this magnificent club, as well as the supporters and everyone who supports it. That’s where my attention is.
“It will never be about names, quality, or anything like that. It’s all about culture in a club, and you have to be 100% devoted; otherwise, you can’t be a member of the squad. And that was the decision we made. Currently, John is with the Under-21s.
“Even the greatest football players of all time committed mistakes. So I believe it is fair to say that if we see some behaviours from Jonny that are on the right track and what we expect from a professional football player representing Norwich City, we will need to make another decision and have another conversation with him about how we can take the next step and move forward.
“For the time being, however, I am focused on the team and the players who are committed. That is where my attention will always be. We have a great responsibility to the fans and everyone who supports this club to have committed players who want to perform wherever and whenever we play.”
Marseille could be priced out of the Rowe race.
Ligue 1 side Marseille are the only team to have made an official bid for Rowe at this point, however it was far below than Norwich’s valuation.
Marseille’s bid was submitted five days ago, and their hesitation to return with a second reflects their present assessment of the situation.
The French giants believe Norwich’s asking price for Rowe is now too high, making a deal improbable at this stage.
That might provide Leeds a clean path to the 21-year-old’s signature, but they won’t get anywhere unless they make a serious bid.
