Chris Sutton slams Jonathan Rowe decision as Leeds United transfer questions raised amid Norwich City absence
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Chris Sutton has suggested clubs interested in Jonathan Rowe could ‘think better’ of signing the winger after he missed Norwich City’s last two games.
Rowe was a surprise omission from Norwich’s matchday squad for last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Oxford United, having addressed transfer speculation with manager Johannes Hoff Thorup in the hours before kick-off. Reports have been conflicting as to whether he explicitly asked to miss out but the 21-year-old has since been removed from the first-team picture and, having missed Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Stevenage, is not expected to feature against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
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Hide AdLeeds United remain interested in the winger but face competition from Olympique de Marseille , who earlier this week submitted a second offer that was knocked back by Norwich. It remains to be seen where Rowe will end up come August 30 but Sutton, who also began his professional career at Carrow Road, has criticised the Canaries star for missing crucial matches despite no agreement being reached.
“Rowe isn't coming out of this at all well,” Sutton wrote in his column for The Pink Un. “He is a badge kisser and often declared his undying love for the club. That will be fake to Norwich supporters who have done nothing but adore and praise him. It's selfish behaviour. People will look at him in a different light. It's his team-mates, ultimately, who have paid the price.
“Players are happy to sign contracts at clubs, and it's the way of the world that you adhere to it. It's his prerogative if he wants a move away and few would begrudge him the opportunity to go to Marseille, but there is no reason why he couldn't play. I suspect Rowe will end up getting his wish, but it'll be interesting if Marseille don't up their bid to sign him because he will end up wasting precious time.
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Hide Ad“Who knows, other suitors could be looking at this and thinking better of signing the winger. In my view, I think he would benefit from another year in the Championship. He's a great finisher and an instinctive goal-scorer, but some of his combination play, physicality and creativity could all improve. You can blame advice all you like, and he's a young man, but he makes the call. It's a poor one. It isn't helpful for anyone.”
Rowe has two weeks to resolve his future but remains a Norwich player, with the Canaries yet to accept an offer from front-runners Marseille. Their Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco have also been linked with interest this week and he remains a possible target for Leeds, who are in desperate need of reinforcements following Crysencio Summerville’s £25million-plus move to West Ham United.
Leeds will also soon be tasked with replacing Georginio Rutter, whose £40m release clause was triggered by Brighton & Hove Albion late on Wednesday - just hours before it expired. Daniel Farke all but confirmed the 22-year-old’s exit in his Thursday press conference, despite the club’s best efforts to keep him in West Yorkshire.