Reported Leeds United transfer target John Swift may already have played his final game for Reading.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to a report by Leeds Live, who claim that the 26-year-old now looks to be one step closer to a summer move, as the central midfielder has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.
The report goes on to mention the fact that the Whites have continuously been linked with a swoop for the former Chelsea starlet, while the same outlet recently revealed that Reading have failed to make any progress in convincing the playmaker to sign a new deal at Select Car Leasing Stadium – meaning he looks set to end his six-year stay at the Championship side at the end of the current campaign.
Marsch can axe Roberts with Swift
Considering just how impressive Swift has been for Reading this season, the fact that Leeds look as if they will be able to sign the 26-year-old on a free transfer is undoubtedly fantastic news for Victor Orta.
Indeed, over his 38 Championship appearances this term, the £5.4m-rated midfield maestro has almost single-handily kept the Royals out of the relegation zone, scoring 11 goals, registering 13 assists and creating 10 big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.1 shots and making 2.7 key passes per game – metrics that are not bettered by any Reading player.
Who would you rather at Elland Road next season?
Swift
Roberts
These returns have seen the £25k-per-week man who Steve Madeley dubbed “stylish” and Charles Watts claimed “glides across the pitch” average a quite breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.26, ranking him as the third-best player in the English second tier – a quite extraordinary feat while playing for a team who are just one place above the drop zone.
In contrast, over Tyler Roberts’ 23 Premier League appearances this season, the £7.2m-rated Wales international was in rather less sensational form, scoring one goal, providing one assist and creating two big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.7 key passes per game.
These metrics saw the 23-year-old who Gabby Agbonlahor dubbed “shocking” average an extremely disappointing SofaScore match rating of just 6.74 – something that would appear to lend weight to the claims that Jesse Marsch may well look to move the £45k-per-week midfielder on this summer.
And, should Marsch be in need of a new attacking threat in the middle of the park, the American should look no further than Swift, as the 26-year-old would not only be a huge upgrade on Roberts, he would also be one of the bargains of the summer.
AND in other news: Orta can unearth Leeds’ next White with swoop for “really exciting” £4.2k-p/w “talent”