Birmingham City are keen on Swansea’s Wayne Routledge, but should Leeds United enter the race?
Leeds United should consider a move for Swansea City winger Wayne Routledge, who could be available for transfer.
The Sun report Birmingham City are planning a £3 million move for the former Crystal Palace starlet, who has featured 17 times for the Swans this season.
Routledge played under current Leeds United boss Garry Monk at Swansea, and alongside him when he was a player, and the manager has already been shrewd enough to raid his former club.
Manchester City’s Fernando in action with Swansea’s Wayne Routledge
Kyle Bartley has been a big success on loan, while ex-Swan Pablo Hernandez has impressed, although loanee Matt Grimes is yet to make an impact.
Routledge would surely settle quickly at Leeds alongside ex-teammates Hernandez and Bartley, and the prospect of joining a promotion fight should appeal.
Swansea City’s Wayne Routledge celebrates scoring their first goal
Birmingham by contrast are in 12th place, nine points off the play-offs, and are yet to hit their stride under Gianfranco Zola’s management.
£3 million may seem a lot to spend on a 32-year-old, but if Routledge helps Leeds clinch promotion, the fee would quickly be repaid.
Leeds are in third position, and at the stage where they need to take a gamble or two, if they are to move into the automatic promotion spots.
Routledge has netted twice for Swansea this season and scored in a win over Arsenal last season, showing his ability to still make an impact at the top level.
Dropping down to the Championship could be just what he needs to have a more productive spell and start enjoying his football, and if as it seems, he is not part of new manager Paul Clement’s plans, then Monk’s Leeds should be on alert.
The FA Cup tie against Cambridge showed Leeds lacked pace and energy without Hadi Sacko in the team, and Routledge’s addition would ensure they have additional options.
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