Michael Reeves
Reports surfaced yesterday that Leeds United could be set to make a move for Ryan Manning who is almost certain to leave SA1 on the expiry of his contract this summer.
Whilst there were hopes that Manning may stay at the club, the uncertainty over the future of Russell Martin that looks set to see him move to Southampton means that Manning is likely to be elsewhere next season.
Football League World reported that Leeds have made him a target irrespective of their division next season – a position that will become clearer after Sunday when anything other than a win over Tottenham will definitely see return to the second tier of English football.
And this is what makes the report interesting and possibly unbelievable at the same time. I can certainly see a logic as to why they may move for Manning should they be in the Championship next season but the Premier League feels unlikely. Manning’s form has been good this season but it’s hard to imagine there would be a queue of Premier League clubs looking to secure his services for next season.
However, Leeds safety in the Premier League is looking unlikely. An Everton win over Bournemouth will send them down and, as mentioned above, they have to beat Tottenham to have any chance of safety. So with Championship football a real likelihood at Elland Road then a move for Manning would certainly make more sense and, in my view, seem more likely.
The loss of Manning is already a tough one for the Swans to take. His form over the past couple of seasons has been excellent and it has been a real blow that we have not been able to tie him down to a longer stay in SA1 given that form. With Russell Martin here that possibly would have been a chance but with his impending departure it is hard to see any world in which an extended stay is agreed.
Leeds will not be alone in sitting up and taking notice of Manning’s potential departure and it has been suggested that at least four other Championship clubs are monitoring progress and potentially prepared to offer a new contract.
Ryan Manning is a man in demand and his next move will be one that peaks some interest over the next few weeks.
