Leeds United reportedly still chasing Cardiff City’s Declan John

Leeds United has been repeatedly linked to Cardiff City fullback Declan John during this season, as the left back position at Leeds continues to be a position of need for the Yorkshire club. It now appears that if Leeds United is still interested in the player, they’ll have to compete with both Rangers FC, where John is on loan, and fellow Championship side Reading FC for his signature.

Despite taking Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan earlier this season, Leeds have been forced to use right back Gaetano Berardi and midfielder Vurnon Anita at left back for most of the season. Reports have linked Leeds with Cardiff’s Declan John for months, but it now appears that Reading have joined the race to try and land the Wales international.

John is only 22 years old, and while he’s still a young player, he appears not to be in the plans of Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock, as he was allowed to join Rangers on a season-long loan. John has gone out on loan three different times after appearing 20 times for Cardiff in the Premier League in the 2013-14 season, landing at Barnsley FC, Chesterfield, and now Rangers.

While at Rangers, John has scored two goals and registered two assists in ten appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season. It is rumoured that Rangers want to make the loan deal permanent, but Leeds have the advantage of having plenty of money left over from the deal that sent Chris Wood to Burnley, so affording him shouldn’t be an issue for Leeds.

Leeds are in dire need of a left-back, and this rumour has pretty much refused to die, despite being around for a few months. However, the biggest problem with this rumour is that in means that Cardiff would be willing to sell a player to a promotion rival. Even though money usually talks in these deals, with John seeming to enjoy his spell north of the border in Glasgow, Leeds might be hard pressed to seal the deal to get him to move to Yorkshire.