Leeds United are looking towards the Premier League loan market to strengthen their squad in the final few weeks of the window.
With pre-season now all but over, and the new campaign set to get underway, clubs are starting to make decisions on players they want to keep or move on.
Leeds are in the market for at least three new signings before the end of the window and with P&S always a concern for Championship clubs, loans are a shrewd way to add to the squad.
This time last year, Leeds used the loan market effectively to bring in Joe Rodon, Djed Spence and Jaidon Anthony, all of whom arrived in the latter stages of August.
With just three weeks to go until the window slams shut, now is the time for Leeds to start getting busy with incomings.
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Why Leeds have dodged Jesurun Rak-Sakyi bullet
Leeds still have four loan spots open to use having only brought in Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth on a temporary deal so far.
It is unlikely he will be the last of the loan deals this summer with links to both Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hugo Bueno, and Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Due to Leeds’ inability to guarantee regular game time from the off, both look difficult to pull off. In fact, interest in Rak-Sakyi may be all but over, with Sheffield United set to win the race.
According to Standard Sport, the Blades have agreed to pay a seven-figure loan fee, as well as the entirety of his salary in order to get it done. Southampton had seen a £12m permanent bid rejected earlier in the summer.
However, there is another clause in which Chris Wilder’s side have also agreed to, and that is Crystal Palace having the option to recall him in January.
Of course, there is no guarantee Palace decide to use it but losing someone as potentially important as Rak-Sakyi could be could be detrimental to a promotion push.
January is always a considerably harder market to find top players and so if Palace were to recall Rak-Sakyi, it would be extremely hard for Sheffield United to sign a replacement ready to hit the ground running.
Instead, it would appear Leeds are putting most of their focus towards a deal for Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe, which would be permanent.
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What is the current state of play with Jonathan Rowe?
While no official offer has yet been made, Sky Sports have today reported that an agreement is moving closer between the two clubs.
Talks had started at around the £7 million mark but Leeds have told Norwich they are willing to increase the amount they will pay, at a figure much closer to their valuation.
It is believed that Norwich value Rowe in the region of between £15m-£20m, though his contract situation means it is likely to be closer to the former.
Leeds will have to move quickly, however, with clubs from the Premier League and abroad still interested in Rowe.
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