Garry Monk was a big fan of reported Leeds January target

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It’s not often Leeds United fans want to hear what Garry Monk has to say but, today, things might be a little bit different.

Because, according to Sport, the West Yorkshire giants are one of three Premier League clubs jostling for a £16 million striker who shared a dressing room with Monk for five months during the back end of 2017.

Not that Martin Braithwaite, the former Toulouse talisman who joined Middlesbrough three years ago, was a roaring success under a coach who departed Elland Road in controversial circumstances.

Braithwaite made 14 Championship appearances before Middlesbrough gave Monk the boot – scoring a grand total of four times.

Not exactly the instant success Boro were expecting from a Danish international forward they paid £9 million for.

“Martin is someone that adds quality to that which we have,” Monk said a few months earlier after Middlesbrough tied up what looked at the time like a potentially title-winning deal.

“He brings a good level of experience and he’s an exciting player. He adds a different dynamic, which the group needs.

“He’ll bring something a bit different and I think he will fit in well.”

Funnily enough, this may also be why Leeds, not to mention West Ham and West Brom, are keen to end Braithwaite’s forgettable spell as Barcelona’s £16 million afterthought in the January transfer window.

He does, to use Monk’s own words, bring ‘something a bit different’.

The 29-year-old might have become something of a lightning rod for criticism since making that controversial move to the Camp Nou in February – leaving his former club in limbo and bound for relegation.

But while he was far from prolific at Leganes, Braithwaite’s skilful link-play, intelligent movement and ability to play all across the frontline convinced Barca that he was the man to add depth to an injury-hit frontline.

Braithwaite’s CV is certainly a mixed one but, while spells in Catalonia and the Riverside are best left forgotten, there are enough reasons for Leeds fans to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He not only helped save Leganes from the drop in 2019, he also did the same on multiple occasions during his time with Toulouse.

If Braithwaite can keep the Yorkshire giants in the Premier League, this Middlesbrough misfit will be a Leeds legend in no time.