Sunderland eyeing English attacker that Leeds United considered signing earlier this summer

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With Noah Okafor closing in on a move to Leeds United, all the current transfer talk centres around wide forwards and wingers currently.

Last summer, Leeds United brought in Largie Ramazani permanently and Manor Solomon on loan. They added to Dan James and Willy Gnonto following the departure of Crysencio Summerville and with Jaidon Anthony’s loan ending.

Jack Harrison has been added to the current mix, giving the Whites five options for their Premier League wingers in 2025/26 currently. It could have been vastly different last summer, however, with one pursuit in particular dominating the headlines.

In 2024, Leeds prioritised a deal for Norwich City’s Jon Rowe. It was said that Leeds even held talks for Rowe in 2024, and their interest was serious in pursuing Summerville’s replacement.

• READ MORE: Leeds United winger faces ‘uncertain’ future amid Noah Okafor and Manor Solomon transfer interest

Sunderland join Bologna in race for Jon Rowe

The latest information in recent months comes after a difficult season in which he lacked game time due to fitness, and Rowe was then linked with a move to Leeds again in recent months.

The former Norwich ace is now worth more than a year ago, in spite of an injury-hit season. Marseille want £17 million for Rowe after swiping Igor Paixao from under Leeds’ nose. However, Rowe rejected Leeds for Marseille last summer as well.

Graham Smyth mentioned Jon Rowe again recently, and there have been statements made in the campaign from Roberto De Zerbi that Rowe has lost his way.

The situation seems to be coming to a head now after La Provence reported Rowe and Adrien Rabiot had an altercation in training. Since then, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the pair have been put up for sale via the transfer list.

Per Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports, Rowe could join Bologna from Marseille. They are stepping up interest, but another surprise name has also joined the frame recently.

RMC report that Sunderland are now in the mix for his signature, following Leeds’ interest earlier in the summer and last year as well. It would be quite the twist following Sunderland and Leeds having similar transfer targets already.

• READ MORE: Jack Harrison’s incredible gesture away from the TV cameras after Leeds United’s win over Everton

Jon Rowe’s career stats so far

The 22-year-old helped England’s U-21 team to a EURO 2025 win, with Rowe also scoring in the final in the process. He is still a developing player, but his output makes for slightly underwhelming reading.

Sunderland have signed 12 players compared to Leeds’ eight, and Rowe could yet become their 13th summer addition. Leeds have moved on to other wide players, it appears.