OPINION
Leeds United would pull off a spectacular coup if they signed Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen by next Thursday’s transfer deadline.
That has emerged as a real possibility today as the Mirror’s live transfer blog (Saturday, 12.37pm) named the Yorkshire giants as one of the Championship big guns eager to snap up the 28-year-old.
It is said that Johansen and his Fulham teammates Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano “have all been told they can leave this month” and Leeds, along with West Brom, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, have “spoken about the trio”.
It’s very encouraging news for Whites that early discussions have taken place.
Johansen has struggled for game time at Fulham this season – making four Premier League starts among his 13 appearances in all competitions – but he is a class act who has a track record that demands respect.
The Norway captain was an integral member of the Cottagers’ promotion-winning campaign, scoring eight goals and supplying nine assists from 49 matches, which included 43 league starts.
He is proven in the Championship, technically sounds, has a wide passing range, creates and scores goals, and has hoovered up trophies, including three league titles at former club Celtic, during a stellar career.
Johansen could immediately slot into the Leeds team and bring composure and pedigree. The performance against Rotherham today, especially in the first half, demonstrated they are sorely lacking in those areas.
No wonder there are so many ambitious sides interested in a really quality player.