Nottingham Forest are plotting a move for QPR playmaker Massimo Luongo but Leeds United have witnessed his ability first hand.
Australia’s Massimo Luongo
Anyone who watched Massimo Luongo live for the first time in Australia’s Confederations Cup clash with Germany on Monday might have wondered what all the fuss is about.
The QPR midfielder endured a disastrous outing in the Group B clash, his ill-judged lunge gifting Germany the chance to re-take the lead late in the first half seconds after Tom Rogic had driven the Socceroos level.
And, with Julian Draxler converting the spot-kick, Luongo was hauled off at the break. However, Australia improved immediately after the interval, turning a hitherto one-way contest into a narrow 3-2 defeat.
Yet, anyone who has watched Luongo in action for QPR, or particularly former club Swindon Town, will know that 45 minute outing was not an accurate reflection of the playmaker’s abilities. After all, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing him, per The Times, on the back of an excellent season at Loftus Road.
The former Tottenham youngster may have contributed just one goal and three assists in 2016/17 but, playing in a deeper midfield role, his performances did not reflect the struggles of the team around him.
A consistently classy presence, it’s little wonder Forest boss Mark Warburton, with his passing philosophy, wants to take him to the City Ground.
Luongo to Leeds?
Though if there’s any club who knows just how good Luongo can be, it’s Leeds United. The 24-year-old can lay claim to one of the best midfield performances in the Championship last season, WhoScored handing him a perfect ten after QPR held Leeds to a goalless draw at Elland Road.
With four tackles, four interceptions and three key passes, Luongo combined grit and guile to great effect. In fact, former manager Garry Monk must have watched on green with envy. Luongo, after all, is the kind of suave operator Leeds’ midfield is crying out for.
They should keep this in mind, then, as Forest plot their move.
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