Leeds: £20m target could ‘shine brighter’ than Dan James at Elland Road

Leeds United target Brennan Johnson could ‘shine brighter’ than both Ryan Kent and Dan James in the ‘long-term’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Whites have been linked with moves for Nottingham Forest’s Johnson and Rangers’ Kent in recent months, while James arrived from Manchester United last summer.

According to The Telegraph, Premier League outfit Brentford had two bids rejected for Johnson in the January transfer window, with the second totalling £18 million.

However, the highly-rated youngster’s current contract is set to expire in just over a years’ time, and he is believed to be in no rush to put pen to paper on fresh terms.

That has sparked fresh speculation over the 20-year-old’s future, with the Daily Mail claiming Leeds and Newcastle United have joined the Bees in the race for his signature.

It’s believed that Forest have placed a £20m price tag on their prized asset and that the Whites’ new manager Jesse Marsch will make Johnson a priority target if they manage to avoid the drop and Forest don’t get promoted.

But the Wales international is not the only skilful wideman on Leeds’ wishlish, as Kent has been on their radar for quite some time.

Johnson burst onto the senior stage last term, scoring 13 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 appearances for Lincoln City during a season-long loan spell, firing them to the League One play-off final.

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And he’s carried that outstanding form into the Championship this season, leading to Jones believing that the youngster has a higher ‘ceiling’ than Kent and James.

He told GiveMeSport: “In terms of where their ceiling is, I think that Brennan Johnson is as high as