Leeds United were not short of goals last season in their sensational Championship campaign. The Whites were the dominant side in England’s second tier, reaching 100 points and finishing top of the table on goal difference, ahead of fellow centurions Burnley.
Daniel Farke's side were the dominant team in front of goal, scoring 24 more goals than any other side. In total, they found the back of the net 95 times, and it was that clinical instinct that helped them become the dominant force they were last term.
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After already signing one attacker this summer, Felix Nmecha, now the Yorkshire side are looking to add to their depth in forward areas by dipping into the transfer market once again.
Leeds' next attacking target
With Nmecha already through the door, Leeds’ focus has shifted to wingers. They failed in a bid to sign Igor Paixao from Feyenoord, with the 25-year-old making the move to French side Marseille. Interestingly, this could have opened the door for Leeds’ next move to materialise.
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Farke’s side are looking to bring Marseille and England under-21 international Jonathan Rowe to the club.
Having targeted him last summer before his move to France, they are now ‘reigniting their pursuit’ of the former Norwich City star.
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Described as a ‘key objective for the 2025 summer window’, a move for 22-year-old Rowe is not going to be straightforward. Leeds are one of four Premier League sides that want to sign the forward this summer, with Marseille said to be looking for a fee of £17m.
Why Rowe would be a good signing
After impressing in the Championship for Norwich a couple of seasons ago, Rowe got his big move to Ligue 1. In a Marseille shirt, he showed great promise under former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.
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Last term, the London-born winger played 30 games for the nine-time French champions, scoring three times and assisting four. However, he managed just 846 minutes, equivalent to nine full 90-minute games, resulting in an impressive average of 0.7 goal involvements per game.
The Norwich academy graduate previously shone in the 2023/24 Championship campaign. Playing on both the left and right wing, he scored 12 goals and assisted twice in 32 appearances, including this sublime strike against Hull City on the opening day of the season.
He showed that he's "got that bit of magic" for the Canaries, as noted by then-teammate Shane Duffy. Could he well have shades of Raphinha about him?
If Farke had the pick of any former attacker to add to his squad this season, he’d surely choose the former Stade Rennais star.
The Brazilian has been sensational for Barcelona this term, with their manager Hansi Flick saying “he's in the running” for the Ballon d’Or.
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Before his big move to La Liga, the Brazilian spent two memorable seasons at Leeds. He played 67 times for the club, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12.
His final goal came away to Brentford on the last day of the 2021/22 season, which helped keep his side in the Premier League.
Well, Farke can’t have Raphinha this term, but there are similarities between a deal for Rowe, and one for the Barca star back in 2020. Not only would the pair have both moved to Elland Road from Ligue 1, but they can both operate on each flank and as a number nine.
Statistically, they put up strikingly similar numbers from their sole seasons in France. As per FBref, Marseille star Rowe averaged two key passes and 3.33 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 2.11 key passes and 3.11 progressive carries each game for Raphinha.
Rowe and Raphinha key stats in final season before Leeds
Stat (per 90)
Goals and assists
Key passes
Shot-creating actions
Goal-creating actions
Progressive carries
Take-ons completed
Stats from FBref
The stats suggest that Rowe could become Farke’s own Raphinha. Not only would both players have joined from France’s top flight, but the stats behind those campaigns are remarkably similar, as is the versatility they offer.
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For just £17m, this could be a fantastic way for Leeds to upgrade their side and add more threat in attack at Elland Road.