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Leeds United target John Swift heading for the Reading exit after injury ends midfielder's season
Leeds United-linked John Swift has likely played his last game for Reading after an injury against Cardiff City ended the midfielder’s season, according to LeedsLive.
The news outlet reports that Royals boss Paul Ince confirmed the talismanic 26-year-old was set to miss the rest of the campaign, with the Berkshire outfit all but safe in the Championship with four games to go.
Swift has been a key factor in ensuring that safety, chipping in with 11 goals from midfield, and is set to leave this summer once his current deal expires [LeedsLive].
The Chelsea academy graduate has been heavily linked with Leeds [Football League World] and looks certain to make a Premier League move this summer after talks over a new contract at the Madejski broke down.
Good Start
If Leeds can secure Swift’s signature early in the summer window, then it will be a real message intent to their Premier League rivals.
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A whole host of factors have contributed to the Whites’ struggles during their second season back in the top-flight, but one that most can agree on being highly significant has been a lack of options in the middle of the park.
England international Kalvin Phillips has missed much of the current campaign with recurring injury issues and Adam Forshaw has had to remain virtually everpresent since returning from his own two-year layoff.
Mateusz Klich runs himself into the ground every game and provides great tenacity in there, but Leeds still haven’t really replaced Pablo Hernandez since the iconic Spaniard left last summer, a midfield player with that extra bit of awareness for that killer ball or composed finish.
Swift has certainly provided that for Reading this campaign and is one of the main reasons the Royals won’t be playing in League One next season, and whilst the word injury probably sends alarm bells ringing in any Leeds fan’s ears, this is one which could actually work to their advantage.
Leeds have clearly been interested in him for some time and he seems like he could be a promising first step in what is undoubtedly going to be a busy window.
In other Leeds news, this key figure in the promotion campaign could look to secure a settlement in order to leave the club.