Leeds United are reportedly preparing an offer for Reading midfielder John Swift ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds United are ready to launch an offer for Reading midfield mainstay John Swift in the upcoming transfer window as manager Marcelo Bielsa eyes reinforcements.
A product of the Chelsea youth academy, Swift had a series of loan spells early in his career, spending time away at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford before signing for Reading permanently in 2016. The 26-year-old has grown into a key member of the Royals’ squad, making 185 appearances in which he has produced a tally of 31 goals and 35 assists.
Swift has been on the radars of Leeds United for quite some time now. The Whites had shown an interest in the Englishman in 2019 and the summer of last year but were unable to pull off the transfer. However, they have continued to monitor his progress and have been left impressed by his performances this season after an injury-riddled 2020/21 campaign.
Swift has posted highly impressive numbers of eight goals and seven assists from 21 appearances in the EFL Championship this season, catching the attention of Leeds United, who are now ready to make a move for him in the January window.
The Whites find themselves perilously close to the relegation battle owing to a series of injuries to key players that have left Marcelo Bielsa thinly stretched in several areas of the pitch. Throw in the struggles of the likes of Rodrigo Moreno and Mateusz Klich, and they are lacking goal contributions from the attacking midfield area, with the pressure largely falling on Raphinha to deliver the goods.
As a result, Leeds United are looking to add another attack-minded midfielder to their ranks who can contribute with goals and assists. West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini has been linked, but the east Londoners are set to block a move for the Argentine while Juventus playmaker Aaron Ramsey is also on the club’s radar.
Swift, too, has now emerged as a realistic option for the Yorkshire club. He is entering the final six months of his contract with Reading, which means his asking price is set to plummet lower than the £7 million that the Championship outfit were demanding for him previously. Leeds are now believed to be putting together an offer to try and lure the former Chelsea ace to Elland Road next month.
Given the lack of quality depth in the ranks, it is imperative that Leeds boost up their options in January to pull away from the drop zone and maintain their Premier League status. And a move for Swift, who can not only play as a No. 10 or a No. 8 but also out wide on the flanks, would be a step in the right direction.