Leeds United could form a formidable duo after being linked with a move for Reading midfielder John Swift ahead of the January transfer window.
What’s the story?
According to The Star, Marcelo Bielsa’s charges are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in securing the highly-rated 26-year-old’s services.
Swift is set to become a free agent next summer, and with no sign of an extension being signed at the Madejski Stadium, an imminent exit could be on the cards.
Imagine him and Raphinha
After rising through the ranks of boyhood club Chelsea, Swift soon became frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities after he made just one senior appearance for the senior side.
A string of loan spells at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford led to the Stamford Bridge outfit offering the academy graduate a new contract back in 2016, but he rejected it in order to get regular game time at Reading.
Since arriving at the Madejski Stadium, Swift has become one of the Championship’s star performers, bagging 31 goals and laying on a further 32 assists in 181 appearances for the Royals.
But he’s elevated his game to new heights this term. In 17 outings for Veljko Paunovic’s charges, the 6-foot dynamo has notched eight goals and provided a further seven assists, highlighting his top-class potential.
Earlier this week, One Leeds Fan YouTuber Conor McGilligan urged the Leeds hierarchy to sign the former England Under-21 international after his eye-catching displays in the second tier.
“[He’s] an absolute grafter, someone who’s worked his way up the football pyramid, someone who, for me, has the technical ability that would sort of replicate a Pablo Hernandez, a Samuel Saiz in tight pockets.
“Someone who is not afraid to drive at the defence; someone who is happy to pick the ball up in uncomfortable situations; someone who, when there’s a throw-in on the left, a throw-in on the right, will go and collect the ball, and then he’ll recover the ball, he’ll rotate – and I think that cycle is what Leeds are missing.”
With Swift famed for his ability to play defence-splitting passes, skilful dribbling and set-piece delivery, he has the potential to strike up a deadly partnership with current Leeds ace Raphinha at Elland Road.
The Brazilian has been phenomenal himself over the last few years, beating the goalkeeper on 11 occasions and supplying nine assists.
Thus, the duo have the technical ability to hurt any Premier League defence, and Swift’s arrival in west Yorkshire will add another exciting weapon to Bielsa’s arsenal.
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from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/327SHQH
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