£40m Georginio Rutter sale 'could allow' Jonathan Rowe bid amid Leeds United's reported stance on Stoke City star
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Leeds United have the chance to end a difficult week with renewed optimism when they go to West Brom tomorrow, with Daniel Farke’s side keen to find their first win of the season. Defeat at home to Middlesbrough on Wednesday saw the Whites knocked out of the Carabao Cup and news later that evening of Georginio Rutter’s possible exit compounded the misery. Brighton and Hove Albion triggered the 22-year-old’s £40million release clause just hours before it was due to expire, with another of last season’s top performers on their way out.
It leaves Leeds with an almighty amount of work to do in the next fortnight, with four additions needed at a minimum. Farke had already stressed the need for cover at full-back and in midfield, and recruitment chiefs now have the unenviable task of replacing the gaps left by Georginio and Crysencio Summerville. It’s set to be a mammoth couple of weeks in West Yorkshire and the YEP has rounded up some of the latest stories surrounding the club.
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Leeds could be better-placed to submit an official offer for Jonathan Rowe once Georginio’s exit is confirmed, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, with the winger still a ‘priority’ target. Interest in Rowe remains but while two bids have been tabled by Olympique de Marseille, nothing has arrived from inside Elland Road as of yet.
“Leeds United would still like Jonathan Rowe. He’s a priority name,” Jacobs told GiveMeSport. “We know it’s Marseille that have been the club bidding, but Leeds could enter that race because Marseille haven’t agreed a deal. Norwich want in excess of £10m and maybe with add-ons now even closer to £15m.
“It might be that a Rutter departure allows Leeds to make a competitive bid, so that could be one to watch. Rowe prefers Marseille, again with European football and playing in a big-five league rather than going from Norwich to a Championship club – but Marseille haven’t agreed a deal, so Leeds might be able to do something there.”
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Leeds continue to be linked with Stoke City winger Million Manhoef but reports suggest he is not a top target for Elland Road recruitment chiefs. Football Insider claim that while Manhoef is of interest in LS11, the Dutchman does not top their summer shopping list.
Extensive scouting of wingers is believed to have taken place earlier this summer, with Leeds anticipating interest and eventual offers for Summerville and Gnonto - they rejected a £23m bid from Everton for the latter. That work will likely have brought to the fore several options, offering the chance to move away from a priority if terms don’t look like being agreed.
The report adds that ‘money is there’ for Leeds to sign a new winger but Manhoef, who registered four goals and an assist in 14 appearances for Stoke, is not a top target. It is also believed a move would be difficult anyway, given he only arrived at the Bet365 Stadium in February and Stoke have no intention to sell.