Leeds United beat Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-finals and The Whites could now inflict a second blow on the Canaries by signing one of their star players.
The Whites are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer. The club’s first priority has been to sort out the future of Victor Orta’s loan army, with five of the eight players now sorting out their future.
Robin Koch and Luis Sinisterra have left permanently, while Jack Harrison has returned to Everton for a second season on loan. Brenden Aaronson has returned and will play a part in the push for promotion.
Marc Roca is close to a £4.25m move to Real Betis, despite Betis having the option to sign him on loan again. There is also expected to be a few sales from the club’s current squad come the summer, too.
Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto, Archie Gray and Ilia Gruev have attracted interest and if they go, Leeds will need to replace them. One player on Leeds’ list is a Norwich attacker Daniel Farke knows well.
Norwich chief admits club will need to sell as Leeds eye player
Farke signed USA star Josh Sargent during his time as Norwich manager and while he only got to work with the forward for a few months before his sacking, the £8m attacker certainly left a lasting impression.
That is because Leeds are keen to strike a reunion between Farke and Sargent at Elland Road, after the forward scored 16 goals for Norwich last term. Now, Norwich’s new sporting director has commented.
Quoted by the Pink Un, Ben Knapper admits his side will need to sell to balance the books this summer and Sargent is listed as a possible exit: “There’s always pressure on us here because that’s our model.
“Whether we have to, or we don’t, we want to and that’s what we define as success as well. Of course we always want to build a team that can get promotion, that’s the ambition, but we have to be sustainable.”
What Daniel Farke said about Sargent in the past at Norwich
Sargent’s 16 goals immediately looks even more impressive when he only managed to play 28 of Norwich’s 46 Championship matches. Leeds fans will remember him from his miss in the semi-finals.
Farke is a big fan and while Leeds might not need a striker, Farke is quoted as raving about his work rate: “His workload is unbelievable both with and against the ball. He is able to keep the ball in the pocket.”
As things stand, Leeds don’t need a new no.9. But Aaronson’s USA teammate is able to play in a number of roles and if a Patrick Bamford or a Joel Piroe departs, maybe Sargent will be the man Leeds turn to.