Howson’s £2m exit could see exodus at United

Howson was granted permission to talk to the Canaries yesterday after rejecting the offer of a new contract at Elland Road.

He is unlikely to be the only departee this month with striker Ross McCormack attracting interest from Wigan Athletic, defender Leigh Bromby wanted by Hull City and midfielder Adam Clayton linked with a move to Bolton Wanderers.

Howson, 23, has been out of action since early December with a knee injury and his absence has been a major blow to Leeds in their quest for promotion to the Premier League.

But with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Leeds have ‘reluctantly’ decided to cash in now rather than risk getting nothing for his services in six months.

In a statement released yesterday, Leeds said: “The club has been in discussions with the player about a new contract at Elland Road for more than 12 months but he has been steadfast in his position that he would like the opportunity to play Premier League football. On that basis Jonny hasn’t felt in a position to commit himself to Leeds United.

“The player has still to agree terms with Norwich and we are disappointed the matter has become public at this stage,” the statement added. “The club has reluctantly accepted the offer on the basis that the player only has six months of his current contract remaining and has expressed a desire that he would like to play Premier League football at the earliest opportunity.”

Leeds manager Simon Grayson has stressed that players will only leave ‘on our terms’ but would prefer Howson to stay.

Since bursting onto the stage as a teenager six years ago, the Morley-born central midfielder has made over 200 appearances and scored 28 goals.

He played a key role in the club’s return to the Championship two years ago – scoring in the final day victory over Bristol Rovers to seal promotion from League One – and was capped at England Under-21 level.

Although Leeds supporters will be unhappy to lose yet another prized asset, the proposed return of midfielder Fabien Delph from Aston Villa may help re-dress the balance.

Delph, 22, has been unable to hold down a regular place since joining Villa for £6m in August 2009 and manager Alex McLeish believes a loan move will help revive his career.

McLeish confirmed Leeds’s interest saying: “Simon Grayson did try to call me but I’ve not spoken to him yet. I think he spoke to (Villa coach) Kevin MacDonald so I’ll get back in touch.

“Fabian is one we might think about going out on loan,” he added. “I’m going to speak to Paul Faulkner (Villa’s chief executive) to see where the club lies with it.”

If Howson passes a medical and agrees personal terms with Norwich, he will join former Leeds team-mate Bradley Johnson and former Huddersfield Town winger Anthony Pilkington at Carrow Road.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert is keen to plunder affordable talent from the Football League in order to keep his club in the top flight.

“The group need a hand and this is a huge season for the football club,” Lambert said.

“The lads we’ve got at the minute came from the lower leagues and the Championship, as everybody knows. I’m just not sure how many are left out there to go and find. We want to stay in the Premier League and get more finances from it and that’s the reality of it.”

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, is ready to turn to McCormack after being priced out of a move for Doncaster Rovers striker Billy Sharp.

The Scottish international attended Wigan’s game against Manchester City on Monday night with agent Barry Hughes and is believed to have a £2.5m get-out clause in his contract.

McCormack scored 10 goals in 12 games at the start of the current season but has scored only two goals since October 14 and been in and out of the side.

Bromby has fallen down the pecking order at Elland Road and his availability has alerted Hull manager Nick Barmby.

The former Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday defender, 31, provides cover all across the back but has started only two league games this season for the Elland Road club.

Clayton, meanwhile, has been a regular for Leeds this season but has also stalled on the offer of a new deal. A native of Lancashire, he has been linked with Bolton after manager Owen Coyle checked on his performance in last week’s FA Cup third-round defeat at Arsenal.

Leeds are still weighing up a move for South African midfielder Matty Pattison who scored in a private friendly for the club against Newcastle United earlier this week.

Pattison, 25, is on trial from South African club Mamelodi Sundowns but is no stranger to English football after spells with both Newcastle and Norwich in the last four years.

American winger Robbie Rogers will discover in the next 48 hours whether he has secured a work permit to join Leeds from Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew.

If so, he could be involved in Saturday’s home game with Ipswich Town.