Leeds United have turned their attention to signing Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Oliver Norwood by making an enquiry for his services, according to Football Insider.
The reliable site, which has broken a number of major United transfer stories this summer, claim the Championship giants and their manager Marcelo Bielsa regard Norwood, 27, as the perfect replacement for Ronaldo Vieira, who was sold to Sampdoria for a fee of around £7million this week.
Football Insider report Brighton are willing to sell Norwood, who is valued at £1.5million by the top flight outfit, before the 9 August cut-off next week.
Good move for Leeds?
Yes, definitely. Leeds are crying out for a central midfielder after selling Vieira, and their need was further exacerbated after it emerged today that Adam Forshaw is facing around six weeks on the sidelines with injury. That leaves a real talent deficit in the middle of the pitch and it could be filled by Norwood. The 27-year-old has pedigree and class. Since graduating from the Manchester United academy, he has made 248 Championship appearances for various clubs, including lengthy spells at Reading and Huddersfield, as well as out on loan at Fulham last season. He is classy and combative, and would offer an upgrade on the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Given Football Insider’s Leeds contacts, this deal is highly possible. United have money to spend after offloading Vieira, and Norwood is within their range at £1.5million. Moreover, Brighton are willing to sell after he slipped down the pecking order of their squad. There is still another six days of the window to get this deal done.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10