Brennan Johnson could be a better option than Daniel James at Leeds United, according to transfer insider Dean Jones...

What's the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT this week, the Eurosport journalist claimed that the Nottingham Forest sensation has a higher ceiling than both the Whites' club-record signing and reported summer target Ryan Kent.

Jones said: "In terms of where their ceiling is, I think that Brennan Johnson is as high as both those players. I think he could probably shine brighter than both of them long-term too."

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The Yorkshire giants have long held an interest in the Rangers star, and with Raphinha likely to depart Elland Road in the off-season, a new wide option could well be needed.

Johnson has also been linked with a move to Leeds in recent months, with the Daily Mail reporting that the club would prepare a bid for the Forest gem if they maintain their place in the Premier League. The Reds value the 20-year-old dynamo at around £20m.

James upgrade

Indeed, Johnson could be the man for Leeds manager Jesse Marsch, as James has not enjoyed the best of debut seasons in west Yorkshire.

After costing around £30m from Manchester United, there was a lot of anticipation and excitement as the Whites finally got their man, some 18 months after narrowly missing out on him in January 2019.

However, he has been quite disappointing, having only contributed four goals and five assists from 33 appearances and failing to find the net in his last 12 outings, via Transfermarkt.

In the past, his decision-making in the final third has been described as "headless" by Darren Bent and we're still very much seeing signs of that, especially when he's leading the line in the absence of injured Patrick Bamford.

Only two Leeds players to have started 20 or more league games this term have managed a poorer average rating than James (6.48). Six other Whites players have provided more key passes (0.8) than the Wales international, too.

His Dragons teammate could well be a massive upgrade, particularly in the long run. For Steve Cooper's promotion-chasing Forest, Johnson has delivered a whopping 15 goals and ten assists across 45 appearances in the Championship this term, averaging 1.3 key passes per outing.

That's over double the returns of James during his final season at Swansea City, where his form caught the eye of Manchester United.

Once dubbed an "unbelievable player" by his former Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi and "special" by ex-teammate Glen Murray, Johnson could be the ideal signing for Leeds this summer.

On the above evidence, there is a lot to suggest that the 20-year-old would be a way better choice than James heading into 2022/23.

AND in other news, Contact made: Huge summer transfer update emerges, Leeds supporters would be fuming...