"It's happening" - Norwich City supporters react as surprise Jonathan Rowe message issued | OneFootball

Despite Rowe leaving City in August with an obligation for Marseille to buy him this summer, a birthday message has left fans wondering...

Norwich City's social media team curiously wished Jonathan Rowe well for his birthday on Wednesday - despite the fact he left the club acrimoniously back in the summer transfer window.

One of the stars of the 2023-24 season for the Canaries, Rowe had a real breakout year, netting 12 times in the Championship as David Wagner guided them to the play-offs, where they were downed by Leeds United at the semi-final stage.

Plenty of transfer speculation happened over the course of the summer, but when the 2024-25 season started in August, Rowe refused to play for City due to the interest in his services - just a few weeks later, he rocked up at French giants Marseille.

Norwich managed to agree a £17 million deal with Marseille, including a sell-on clause, but he will only become a permanent member of Roberto De Zerbi's squad this coming summer, with the initial part of his spell at the club being a loan.

Norwich City fans react to surprise Jonathan Rowe message on Twitter

Things have not been going well for the winger out in France though, who has failed to make the kind of impact that was expected of him.

In Ligue 1, the 22-year-old attacker has scored just three times from 25 outings, and he has started just the once in league action since November 8.

According to French reports, De Zerbi would like to offload Rowe this summer due to his lack of impact in his debut season, yet they are still obligated to pay a significant fee for him when the transfer window re-opens.

In the wake of Rowe's struggles at Marseille, Norwich's Twitter account surprisingly wished the winger a happy birthday on Wednesday, even though he left back in August and will do so on a permanent basis very soon.

Naturally, this has got City fans talking over what's next for Rowe, as it's not exactly commonplace for birthday wishes to be handed out for players who have departed the football club.

Could a surprise return next season on loan be on the cards for Rowe at Carrow Road? That's certainly what some are hoping...

Some fans though would only take the fleet-footed wideman back though if he were to issue an apology for how he dealt with the transfer saga of last summer.

Another Norwich supporter thinks that Rowe will complete his "redemption arc" at Carrow Road next season, if he is willing to return to the club whose academy he burst through.

Others however have not been so positive about the unexpected message, including one supporter who has pointed out that Rowe may try to manufacture a return to Norwich because his time at Marseille hasn't gone to plan.

Another fan labelled Norwich's decision to wish Rowe a happy birthday as "strange", given the circumstances of his departure.

Whilst another pointed out that Rowe exited Norwich "in a strop" after refusing to play matches, which insinuates that he wouldn't be welcome back by some at Carrow Road.

Norwich City would be foolish to not take Jon Rowe back on loan given Borja Sainz situation

Given Rowe's struggles at Marseille, you'd expect that he would try and secure a return to more familiar surroundings in English football in the summer after his move to the Stade Velodrome is confirmed.

Any move would likely be a loan one though, and given Norwich will likely lose Borja Sainz this summer for a decent fee, there will be a vacancy on the left flank.

That is one where Rowe could thrive in after a year away, but it would clearly take some apologising or grovelling from him for some Norwich fans to forgive him for how he exited the club less than a year ago.