‘Unstoppable’ player left out of club’s squad today amid reports Leeds United are in talks to sign him

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Leeds United’s clash with Portsmouth is one of eight Championship fixtures taking place today.

The Whites face last season’s League One winners at Elland Road looking to get the new campaign off to a good start after May’s Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton.

With three weeks left of the window, there is still a possibility players who are in action today may well not be at their current club by the end of the month.

Leeds have a couple of players who certainly fall under that category, perhaps none more so than Wilfried Gnonto, given he was the subject of a £23 million bid from Everton.

However, the fact he is in the starting XI today would suggest nothing is close regarding an exit, and that he has applied himself well on the training pitch.

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Major Jonathan Rowe update emerges today

Leeds are still on the hunt for at least three more signings in the next few weeks, with winger being a key position of priority.

Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham United has left a huge hole in the squad, of which Leeds are determined to replace properly.

Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe and Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi appear to be Leeds’ top targets, though a move for the latter is looking unlikely right now.

As for Rowe, Leeds are currently in a battle with Marseille for his signature, with the Ligue 1 side having submitted a formal offer on Friday night.

And a major development in the race for his signature has emerged today with Rowe having been left out of Norwich’s squad completely for today’s trip to Oxford United.

It will be interesting to see whether the ‘unstoppable‘ Rowe has asked for that to be the case due to speculation, or if something has moved regarding a transfer.

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What Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup said on Thursday is now interesting

Leeds were reported to have made progress in talks on Thursday but so far, it is only Marseille who have made an offer, of which was below Norwich’s valuation.

Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup said in his press conference earlier this week that Rowe would be in the squad and is fully focused.

The fact that has now changed is surely a hint that there have been some major developments behind-the-scenes, whether good or bad for Leeds.

He said: “These guys have trained with the group, they’re important and that’s how it is. We can’t affect whether there is an offer, that’s what I tell the players on a daily basis. Their heads are ready to perform here.”