Leeds United are being linked with a fresh double attacking deal to compensate for the loss of Georginio Rutter to Brighton, as chairman Paraag Marathe and Co aim to keep the Whites’ promotion dream alive.
Leeds endured a difficult 24 hours and a challenging summer transfer window after missing out on promotion last season, both automatically and in the play-off final.
In the aftermath of that defeat, Marathe acknowledged that Leeds might need to consider sales to offset the failure to return to the Premier League but assured fans that plans were in place to keep the club competitive and in contention for promotion.
While the departure of Crysencio Summerville was anticipated, his sale to West Ham for up to £35m, along with the £40m exit of Archie Gray, has been a blow to the fanbase.
Adding to their woes, Leeds suffered a poor start to the season, conceding six goals in two games and crashing out of the EFL Cup in the first round for only the second time in their history.
The situation worsened when Brighton triggered a £40m release clause for Rutter, inserted in his contract and activated due to Leeds’ failure to secure promotion.
Rutter, Leeds’ record signing at a potential £35m, has now bid farewell to the club ahead of his move to the AMEX. Leeds are now linked with a fresh move for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Although Daniel Farke insisted in a press conference on Thursday that nothing is confirmed yet, Leeds expects the transfer to go through within “the next 24 to 48 hours.”
With the window closing in just over two weeks, Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises are under significant pressure to deliver new signings.
Their squad is already considered thin, and Rutter’s sale exacerbates the situation.
Leeds had previously seen a £15m offer for Rak-Sakyi rejected by Crystal Palace, who are open to a loan deal.
However, a last-minute hitch in negotiations with Sheffield United has reopened the door for Leeds to secure a loan deal for Rak-Sakyi, offering a much-needed boost.
At the same time, Leeds have a prime opportunity to push through the signing of top summer target Jonathan Rowe from Norwich. The need for Rowe has become more pressing following Rutter’s departure.
Rowe, an excellent dribbler and ball carrier, can potentially replicate Rutter’s impact at Leeds.
TEAMtalk reported earlier this week that Leeds are expected to make an official offer for Rowe. Norwich value the player, who has a year left on his contract with an option for another season, at a minimum of £15m.
Marseille, Leeds’ main rivals for Rowe, had their initial €12m (£10.3m) offer rejected. Their subsequent offer of a season’s loan worth €2m (£1.7m) with a view to a permanent €14m (£12m) move next summer, totaling £13.7m, was also declined by Norwich.
This rejection presents Leeds with an excellent opportunity to secure Rowe’s signature.
With Marseille now ready to walk away from the deal, Leeds can take the lead and test Norwich’s resolve by launching a firm offer.
TEAMtalk understands that Leeds are prepared to make an opening bid that exceeds Marseille’s offer and aligns more closely with Norwich’s valuation.
This move aims to secure Rowe and bounce back from the disappointment of losing Rutter.
Additionally, Leeds have considered Stoke’s Million Manhoef as a potential Plan B if their pursuit of Rowe does not succeed.
