Leeds United are reportedly considering a move to bring Swansea City’s Player of the Season Ryan Manning to the club on a free transfer – and LeedsUnited.News exclusively spoke to Planet Swans to get the lowdown on Manning.
As things stand, it is of course nearly impossible to judge what kind of player Leeds will target in the window. Victor Orta has left, and it remains unclear which division Leeds will be in next season. The Championship is looking likely.
While a number of players have been linked – the likes of Ryan Kent, Che Adams will come as no surprise – the new links with 26-year-old Ireland star Manning make sense. He is a solid addition in the Championship, or in the top tier.
FLW state that Leeds have been looking at Manning and with his contract expiring this summer, Swansea confirmed he is leaving on a free. So, we got the lowdown on the left-back from Swansea expert Phil Sumbler at Planet Swans.
“Manning is very much an attacking wing back – or at least that is where we have been playing him. Whilst I suspect comfortable at left back he excels going forward,” Sumbler said, when describing what kind of left-back Manning is.
Lowdown on Leeds target Ryan Manning from Swansea City expert
“Gutted [to see him go] maybe too strong a word but definitely wish we could have kept him. It’s been rumoured it was his wage demands that left us apart on new terms, which we have to respect but he will be a loss next season.
Leeds have of course had an issue on the left side of defence for a number of years. Ever since, really, the loss of Charlie Taylor to Burnley. The likes of Barry Douglas, Gjanni Alioski, Laurens De Bock and Junior Firpo have come in.
But none have been able to hold down the position. Even this season, Pascal Struijk was preferred for most of the season to Firpo despite not being a natural left-back. So, is Manning good enough to play in the Premier League?
“For me, Manning is more a Championship player,” Planet Swans writer Sumbler continued. “As much as he probably could play in the Premier League, I am not sure he would get anywhere near the success he does at Swansea level.
“But, I think Leeds would be a good move even if Leeds are in the Championship, as clearly your ambition would be to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and I can see Manning thriving on that.” Fingers crossed.
