It is now coming up to a month since Leeds United last made a signing.
Jayden Bogle’s £5 million arrival from Sheffield United on July 20 is Leeds‘ most recent addition of the summer, in what is a disappointing turn of events.
Leeds had been on course to get the vast majority of their business done way before the end of the window, but the long wait for signing number five now means they are scrambling around again.
Daniel Farke is keen on bringing in at least three new faces before the August 30 deadline, and that figure could still rise if more players are sold.
Full-back, central midfield and winger are the three positions Farke is keen to address, and has even made that clear publicly, leaving no excuse for Leeds not to get what they need.
Johannes Hoff Thorup shares new update on Leeds target Rowe
Based on the links that have hit the media, winger appears to be Leeds’ main priority at the moment, though of course work will be going on behind-the-scenes for the other two positions.
With Jesurun Rak-Sakyi at Bramall Lane last night watching Sheffield United’s 4-2 win over Wrexham, Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe is the only rumoured target right now.
Leeds have not actually made much progress on Rowe since their first £7 million phone call to Norwich over a week ago, but speculation regarding his future has caused quite a stir at Carrow Road.
Rowe has been sent to train with the U21s after pulling himself out of the squad to face Oxford United last Saturday. He was again absent for Tuesday’s 4-3 Carabao Cup win over Stevenage.
Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was once again asked about Rowe’s future after yesterday’s game, confirming he will not be apart of the squad at the weekend for a third game in a row.
Via Pink Un, he said: “He’s not under consideration for that game. After what happened last Saturday it was an easy decision for me to take, and we’ve had some conversations about it.
“It’s a tough, tough decision, and it’s a tough learning curve, but I can only focus on the team, or the players that are 100pc committed to be here, that are 100pc committed to perform for this fantastic club and for the fans and everyone supporting this club. That’s where my focus is.
“It will never be a matter of names or quality or anything like that. It’s only about culture in a club, and to be 100pc committed, and if you’re not, then you cannot be a part of the team. And that was the decision we took. And at the moment, John is with the Under-21s.
“The best players in the history of football also made mistakes. So I think it’s fair to say that if we see some behaviours from Jonny that are on the right path, and what we expect from a professional football player representing Norwich City, then, of course, at some point, we need to take another decision and have a conversation with him again on how we can take another step and how we can go forward.
“But, for now, I focus on the team and the players that are committed. That’s where my focus will always be. We have a huge obligation to the fans and everyone supporting this club that wherever, and whenever we play, we have committed players who want to perform.”
Marseille could be priced out of Rowe race
Ligue 1 side Marseille are actually the only club to have submitted a formal offer for Rowe at this stage, though it was way below Norwich’s valuation.
Marseille’s bid went in five days ago now, and their reluctance to return with a second is indicative of their current view of the situation.
The French giants actually view Norwich’s asking price for Rowe as too expensive right now, and so a deal at this stage looks unlikely.
That could hand Leeds a clear run to the 21-year-old’s signature, but they aren’t going to get anywhere unless they make a proper bid.
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