As far as Football Insider are aware, we are on the lookout for a new ‘driving force’ in midfield, as they are claiming Reading midfielder John Swift is a Whites target who fits the bill.
The 23-year-old is said to have impressed figures at Elland Road with his performances this season, despite the Royals’ struggles, and could soon find his home in West Yorkshire.
There is no bid in place for the central midfielder as of yet, but Football Insider note that a club source believes we see enough in the £2.25million-rated Chelsea product to warrant making a move, regardless of what division we may find ourselves preparing for in the summer.
Reading are also understood to be reluctant to lose a creative midfielder who has emerged as a key player at the Madejski Stadium this term, having scored six goals in all competitions, as well as orchestrating two key passes per ninety in the Championship.
As Marcelo Bielsa’s interest in the former England youth international is seemingly unclear at present, who Swift could replace in the Argentine’s starting XI is also anyone’s guess.
However, what the Portsmouth-born ace would offer Bielsa, or whoever is in charge next season, is some much-needed depth in a crucial role.
Pablo Hernandez may have played seven of his 32 games in a central position, but the Spaniard is very much at home on the wing, right now.
Samu Saiz – who still has the second highest average dribbles per 90 of any Whites ace – is unlikely to return to Elland Road for next season, and that would leave us with a rotation between three men again – Tyler Roberts, Adam Forshaw and Mateusz Klich.
As well as two key passes per ninety in the Championship, Swift has three assists and averaged 2.5 dribbles, 2.1 aerial duels, 2.6 tackles and 1.7 shots per 90.