Norwich City dynamo Jonny Howson was linked with an emotional return to Leeds United but Chelsea starlet Mario Pasalic is also on their radar.
Most Leeds United fans would welcome Jonny Howson back with open arms this summer.
A local lad who rose through the ranks at Thorpe Arch to become the club’s youngest captain since Billy Bremner, reports that he could return from Norwich City have captured the imagination in West Yorkshire.
Jonny Howson’s Leeds United return looks unlikely
Howson would certainly be a popular addition but, at that price, it certainly puts the dampeners on Leeds’ hopes of an emotional Elland Road homecoming.
And reports in Gianluca Di Marzio that Leeds have now registered an interest in Chelsea midfielder Mario Pasalicl is perhaps the clearest indication yet that Howson will not be wearing the all-white of Leeds once again next season.
Creative and cheap
Like the exit-linked Canary, Pasalic is a dynamic and creative midfielder with an eye for goal. The two-time Croatian international has netted 12 goals in the last two seasons during promising loan spells at Monaco and AC Milan and possesses the all-too-rare ability to drive forward from deep a la Howson in his pomp.
Furthermore, Pasalic is certainly a cheaper alternative. The report adds that Chelsea may let the midfielder leave on loan once again this summer with Leeds challenging Valencia and Lazio for his signature.
Mario Pasalic is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Chelsea
And, although he would only be a temporary solution, a short-term deal for Pasalic appears to make more sense than paying £5 million for a player who would turn 30 before the season is out.
If Pasalic does indeed rock up at Elland Road this summer, giving the Leeds midfield further creative thrust following the signing of FC Twente playmaker Mateusz Klich, any hopes of a Howson return would look unlikely in the extreme.
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