Leeds United came close to signing Jonathan Rowe for around £10m from Norwich City in the summer of 2024. Now, he is being valued at €50m.
That contrast alone tells the story. What once looked like a reasonable Championship gamble has turned into one of the clearest missed opportunities of the 2024 summer window.
Leeds were firmly in the mix for Rowe before his move to Marseille, but the deal never materialised. Less than a year on, his value has surged and Premier League clubs are now circling.
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Leeds spotted the talent early with Rowe shining at Norwich
Leeds’ interest in Rowe was not a late move. Reports at the time indicated Leeds were preparing a £7m bid while he was still at Norwich, identifying him as one of the Championship’s most exciting prospects.
That interest did not go away. According to Ben Jacobs, speaking on GiveMeSport, Leeds could have signed Rowe for between £10m and £15m during the summer of 2024.
That price now looks modest. It placed Rowe firmly in the bracket of a development signing rather than a headline arrival, but Leeds clearly saw enough to consider him a serious addition.
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Instead, the deal slipped away. Marseille moved first and secured his signature, leaving Leeds to look elsewhere. That summer, Leeds would go and sign Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon, instead.
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Marseille move stalled momentum for Rowe
Rowe’s move to Marseille did not immediately deliver the platform expected. According to L’Equipe, he struggled to secure consistent minutes and was not a regular starter during his time in France.
That lack of rhythm slowed his progress. For a player coming off a strong spell at Norwich, the step up did not translate into instant impact.
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There were glimpses of his ability, but not enough to establish himself as a key figure. At that stage, the decision to choose Marseille over Leeds did not appear to significantly boost his trajectory.
Bologna breakthrough drives €50m valuation for in-form Rowe
Rowe’s rise has come quickly once given the right environment. His performances at Bologna have lifted his profile and, crucially, his market value.
L’Equipe now report that Bologna value him at €50m, with Premier League clubs showing interest in a potential move.
That figure reflects both current output and perceived ceiling. Rowe has moved from a promising Championship attacker to a player attracting top-level attention in one season.
The shift is not based on hype. It follows a clear progression from limited opportunities in France to a more influential role in Serie A, where his attacking qualities have had greater impact.
For Leeds, the numbers are hard to ignore. A player they could have secured for £10m to £15m is now priced far beyond that range.
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