Leeds United chief Victor Orta reveals he tried to sign £20m Nottingham Forest star

Leeds United's director of football Victor Orta says the club tried to sign Welsh star Brennan Johnson when the forward was just 16.

Johnson has emerged as one of the brightest talents in the Championship after a stunning season under Steve Cooper, netting 12 goals in an impressive breakthrough campaign. The 20-year-old has progressed through the ranks at the City Ground since first signing with the Reds at the age of eight and, one way or another, looks destined for Premier League stardom.

A host of top-flight clubs were linked with a move back in January, including Newcastle United and Crystal Palace. Brentford also reportedly had a bid knocked back after failing to meet Forest's £20million valuation, while Leeds too were mentioned as possible admirers.

The Wales player ratings as Brennan Johnson dazzles and Cardiff City starlet with ice running through his veins

Johnson's stock rose ever further with a highly accomplished showing for Wales in Tuesday night's friendly with the Czech Republic at Cardiff City Stadium. You can read more about his performance here.

It seems only a matter of time before he's plying his trade in the top flight, although Orta has now admitted that Johnson might well have been a Leeds player had things panned out differently. In an interview with Marca, the Elland Road chief outlined his vision for bringing young players on board to the club, adding that they made a bid to sign the winger when he was still a teenager.

"We have a project with the full support of the entire board of directors and the CEO," he said. "I identified that we had to anticipate and develop the 'Anticipate Project Talent' project with my scouting group of English people, who are the best in England.

"We had to