Both Leeds United and Galatasaray are in talks with Norwich City for their Brazilian playmaker Gabriel Sara. Turkish media outlet Fotomac reported that Galatasaray has made official contact with the Canaries for the services of the Brazilian.
Leeds on the other hand already had a £5m offer rejected for Sara. Norwich reportedly value him in the region of £20m and won’t let go unless their demands are met. The Brazilian’s contract expires in 2026 hence, Norwich need to cash out on him this season or the next if the playmaker doesn’t decide to extend.
According to reports, Sara wants to stay on the Isles which increases Leeds’ chances of signing the player, but they’ll need to soar their offer substantially to succeed. Although he prefers England, Galatasaray’s Champions League qualification might prove to be persuasive enough to change Sara’s preferences.
To sign the Brazilian, The Whites need to offload some players in order to balance the books and raise money. This will prove to be a challenging task, but Crysencio Summerville’s imminent exit will give Daniel Farke money to spend in the transfer window over the coming weeks.
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Would Gabriel Sara be a good signing for Leeds United?
Sara has been a devastating force at Carrow Road. The Brazilian has been gifted with a magical left foot and his set piece expertise is on another level. He has scored 14 goals and has made 13 assists in 50 appearances for Norwich last season.
Norwich signed the playmaker from São Paulo in 2022 for a fee of £6 million. The Canaries beat West Bromwich Albion for the player’s services and his transfer fee has been worth every penny for the Canaries.
“He works very hard. Performance-wise, he never really below par. He is an outstanding player. Not only for us but in this division. No one has a doubt about this. It’s crystal clear,” said former Norwich manager David Wagner regarding Sara at the end of last season.
Current Norwich manager Johannes Hoff Thorup had some pretty unsure things to say about the transfer rumours. City’s boss said: ‘“All the other things outside the pitch with rumours and other clubs linked, I think he will leave that to the side. We’ll leave transfer rumours, stuff like that for someone else. That’s not for me, that’s not for Gabby.”
Thorup’s words clearly indicate some level of doubtfulness regarding his player’s future. Even if we don’t know which club will have him, one thing is for sure, the talks are on and Leeds United are in the mix.