All eyes for those of a Leeds United persuasion are on the transfer market now, and who The Whites are going to bring in in order to give Daniel Farke the best chance of Premier League survival.
Promotion from the Championship and the league title have now been secured, Farke doing what he set out to do at the second attempt, having joined the club after Leeds had been relegated back in 2022-23.
While there has been criticism of Farke and indeed, the German had to endure rumours he could be given his marching orders even after promotion, one part of his management that wins praise is recruitment.
Leeds’ recruitment has been night and day compared to Victor Orta’s last 12 months at Elland Road. The Whites have got it spot on – signing the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Ao Tanaka.
But there is one player that Farke tried to sign that turned Leeds down last summer, to join a European giant for an initial £12.5m. Jonathan Rowe moved from Farke’s old side Norwich City to Marseille in 2024.
Jonathan Rowe explains why he chose Marseille over Leeds
Rewind a year and England U21 man Rowe was heavily linked with a move to Leeds. The Whites needed a spark after losing the play-off final and had to replace duo Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
Rowe was targeted but the attacker chose to join Marseille over Leeds. He has since struggled, admitting he has found it “difficult” under Roberto De Zerbi recently. Rowe has now shared why he chose Marseille.
“The big difference was De Zerbi calling me personally out of the blue. I was a bit taken aback by it, it was the first time a manager has actually gone out of his way to call me and say that he wants me,” Rowe said.
“So it was exciting, I didn’t really take into account the fact right away that I would be moving to a whole new country and a whole new culture,” the Marseille attacker said, speaking to Get French Football News.
What Jonathan Rowe has now said about his immediate future
Speaking after Marseille had beaten strugglers Le Havre 3-1 away from home to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, Rowe discussed his future with GFFN after a tricky first season in France.
“I think that’s where this club belongs, that’s where these players belong. I really believe we can finish this season strong and attack next season strong as well,” Rowe said, strongly suggested he will remain.
That comes after reports that Leeds have retained interest in Rowe, alongside Angus Kinnear’s new side Everton. The chance to play in Europe’s elite competition will be difficult for Rowe to ignore this summer.
