What the French media are now saying about Jonathan Rowe looks like big boost for Leeds United

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A fresh twist has emerged in Leeds United’s pursuit of Norwich City star Jonathan Rowe.

The Whites are currently battling Marseille in the race for his signature, with a move away from the Canaries looking more and more likely for the 21-year-old.

After deciding to pull out of the squad on the morning of Norwich’s 2-0 defeat at Oxford United on Saturday, Rowe has been sent to train with the Canaries’ U21s until a resolution is reached.

Leeds are still yet to make an official offer for Rowe but reports last week suggested that talks had progressed towards them getting closer to meeting Norwich’s valuation.

Marseille, meanwhile, saw a bid rejected on Friday night but are yet to come in with a second approach, leaving the saga with an element of uncertainty.

• READ MORE: What Leeds United officials thought about Jesurun Rak-Sakyi when in talks with winger

Leeds handed major boost in Rowe pursuit

With Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on his way to Sheffield United, Rowe is Leeds’ is the only winger target to have reached the media at this stage.

Leeds know just how important it is to get this signing right, as whoever comes in will be replacing last season’s Championship POTS in Crysencio Summerville.

Rowe would be an excellent replacement for Summerville but interest from Marseille has certainly left supporters feeling sceptical over whether a deal can be done.

However, Leeds may have just been handed a major boost in the race to sign the Norwich star, if what L’Equipe reported on Monday night is correct.

The French outlet claim that Marseille currently view a move for Rowe as too expensive, and therefore his arrival is viewed as ‘complex’ at this stage.

That could well hand Leeds a free passage to Rowe’s signature should they wish to meet Norwich’s asking price, which is rumoured to be £15 million.

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Leeds need to pay what it takes for Rowe

Given that Leeds were prepared to pay £15 million to sign Rak-Sakyi from Palace, clearly the money is there to spend.

However, Palace made it pretty clear from the get-go they were never going to sell Rak-Sakyi permanently, as shown by Southampton’s failed pursuit.

With that in mind, there is now no excuse for Leeds not to go and offer similar for Rowe, particularly given he is more proven than Rak-Sakyi at this level.

Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Portsmouth showed Leeds are lacking that extra clinical edge in the final third, which is exactly what Rowe can provide.