Leeds United must avoid undervaluing their competition if they want to avoid missing out on transfer targets such as new Galatasaray signing Gabriel Sara.
Florian Plettenberg announced on X (5 August) that the former Norwich midfielder has signed a five-year contract with Galatasaray for £15.5 million.
United’s previous proposal of £5 million for the 25-year-old midfielder was considered disrespectful to both Sara and Norwich [Özgür Sancar, 31 July].
As the Whites resume transfer talks with Norwich, this time for 21-year-old winger Jonathan Rowe, Daniel Farke’s side must be prepared to go far beyond the £7 million offer they’re willing to make [John Percy, 5 August].
Leeds United have to spend Summerville’s transfer windfall wisely.
Sara and Rowe’s pursuits have been driven by the now-confirmed departure of star winger Crysencio Summerville, who signed with West Ham on Saturday (3 August).
While the Whites have demanded that Summerville’s fee be kept completely confidential [Sean Whetstone, 4 August], the estimated worth of around £25 million offers them plenty of financial leeway to recruit a replacement.
While their approach for attacking midfielder Sara came before Summerville’s departure was announced, the club should have known that Norwich would never accept an offer as low as £5 million for their star.
Rowe is four years younger than the Brazilian and more like to Summerville as an out-and-out winger, but Norwich will demand a high price for their academy product.
Other Championship clubs will be fully aware of Leeds’ financial strength, as was the case following Archie Gray’s £40 million move to Tottenham, but if Farke sees Rowe as his long-term Summerville replacement, the club will have to pay Norwich’s asking price.
