Daniel Farke is looking at a move to sign a player he bought while at Norwich City if Leeds United gain promotion to the Premier League, but faces competition from the top flight.
Leeds are just one game away from reaching the Premier League and securing an instant return to the top flight after smashing Norwich at Elland Road in the play-off semi-final second leg, winning 4-0.
They face Southampton in the final on Sunday at Wembley, in what will be a tough test for Farke’s men given Leeds suffered defeats home and away to Russell Martin’s side in the regular Championship season.
Whether Leeds remain in the Championship or obtain promotion will determine the level of business they do this summer and the calibre of players in which they sign with targets drawn up for both eventualities.
One target for the Premier League is a player that Farke once signed for a fee of £8m back in 2021, one that Leeds faced over the two legs. Leeds will certainly be looking to bolster their attack this summer.
Farke is keen on signing USA star Josh Sargent but faces competition from Premier League clubs and here is what the report says about a possible move:
Leeds eye Josh Sargent in Farke reunion after £8m Norwich move
Sargent, 24, joined Norwich in the summer of 2021 just a few months before Farke was sacked by The Canaries after struggling in his second shot at the Premier League, following a second Championship title.
Ankle surgery earlier this season limited Sargent to just 26 Championship appearances in the regular term but the forward still managed 16 goals, an impressive ratio that has attracted attention from many clubs.
The Sunday Mirror (19/05, p70) report that Leeds are keen on luring Sargent to Elland Road and forming a reunion with Farke should Leeds go up. He will be expensive, with his contract set to run until 2028.
However, Leeds are not alone in pursuit of the Norwich ace who is represented by the same agency that look after Weston McKennie. Premier League trio Bournemouth, Brentford and Fulham also want Sargent.
Illan Meslier earned Farke praise for denying Sargent on Thursday
While it was almost all one-way traffic at Elland Road, Sargent had a glorious chance to put Norwich back in the game on Thursday with the scoreline reading 2-0 to Leeds but his chip was saved by Illan Meslier.
A crucial save that Daniel Farke described as “world class”, while Simon Grayson claimed it was one of the “biggest” moments of the French goalkeeper’s career. It ended any glimmer of hope Norwich had to win.
But now, Sargent has the chance to get into the Premier League anyway despite losing in the play-offs and Leeds could be the ones to offer him that opportunity come the summer, if promoted of course.