Leeds United look set to miss out on Norwich City’s £15 million-rated star Jonathan Rowe with Marseille likely to win the race after discussions with Premier League duo West Ham and Crystal Palace.
After being left out of the Norwich City squad again for Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers, the England Under 21 international appears closer than ever to sealing his departure from Carrow Road.
HITC understands that Jonathan Rowe has informed Norwich and his own representatives that he has his heart set on a move to French giants Marseille.
Roberto de Zerbi was the head coach of Brighton and Hove Albion when The Seagulls scouted Rowe – a talent supposedly with Premier League potential – last term.
Now in the Marseille dugout, De Zerbi has successfully twisted the 21-year-old’s arm while convincing him that the Stade Velodrome would be the ideal place to continue his development.
Marseille are now ready to seal the deal. He will be the latest player to leave England for the 1993 European Champions, after Mason Greenwood and Tottenham Hotspur loanee Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Marseille also attempted to sign Eddie Nketiah, albeit while falling well short of Arsenal’s demands.
As for Rowe, HITC have been told that Leeds United saw two birds turned down. Both failed to reach Norwich’s £15 million asking price.
Leeds United miss out to Marseille for Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe
Premier League duo West Ham and Crystal Palace also held discussions, the latter side boasting a formidable track record when it comes to signing the best young talents in the Football League.
Rowe will not be following in the footsteps of Ebere Eze, Michael Olise or Adam Wharton, however, with Marseille set to be his destination.
HITC understands that, despite their interest, neither West Ham nor Crystal Palace submitted a bid, unlike Leeds.
“It’s been tough for him. We knew that when we took the decision,” Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup said before that Blackburn clash, via the Lancashire Telegraph.
“It’s a big fan base at this club, and they were affected by (the speculation). Jonny was too, and we‘ll support him the best way. He wants to talk to his team-mates, and he will be with us in a meeting soon.
“Then, we will sit down and look at the next steps.”
Norwich are now ready to accept an initial loan deal, albeit with an obligation-to-buy clause that will guarantee them a sizeable windfall later down the line. The Canaries are also closing in on a potential replacement in Ante Crnac.
There is a deal in place worth just less than £10 million for the Rakow attacker. Crnac scored 11 goals and set up five more last season in Poland.
Daniel Farke needs new signings at Elland Road
Championship rivals Leeds, meanwhile, may be set for a hectic final few days in the transfer window.
Despite banking considerable sums following the sales of Georginio Rutter to Brighton, Crysencio Summerville to West Ham and Archie Gray to Tottenham, the only new faces in Daniel Farke’s squad are loanee Joe Rothwell, back-up goalkeeper Alex Cairns and £5 million defender Jayden Bogle.
“We need cover at full-back, a midfielder, a winger or offensive player,” Farke tells Leeds Live, Rutter securing a £40 million move to Brighton. “And, after Georgi, a second offensive player.
“(The players we want) have to the right personality, mentality and be affordable. Not easy to attract this quality. It’s easier in the Premier League.
“This is what we work on. I know our key people are working hard behind the scenes. I know when there are no incomings there is stress, but I talk to them every day and they know what I want.
“I am carefully optimistic something will happen.”
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