From Sweden: Leeds United consider swoop for Rotherham United star, could push other clubs aside

Leeds United are considering a move for Rotherham United star Viktor Johansson but could face competition from Stoke City and Sheffield United.

That’s according to Aftonbladet, who say Leeds are looking at the 25-year-old as they plan for next season, be it in the Championship or Premier League.

The newspaper reports that while Rotherham are on their way out of the Championship, Johansson will not be joining them.

He has previously been linked with Stoke City and Sheffield United, but now Leeds United are also considering a bid for him in the summer.

They currently have Ilan Meslier, Kristoffer Klaesson and Karl Darlow as their three options and Meslier has 19 clean sheets in 41 games in the Championship this season so it would seem there is no desperate need for Johansson at this point.

Meslier and Darlow are tied to deals until 2026 too, while Klaesson expires next season, so there’s no gaps opening up on that front without departures first. Thus, it would make little sense for the Rotherham man to be a target unless somebody leaves, but Aftonbladet say otherwise.

Sheffield United and Stoke City have more pressing needs, particularly the former, whose goalkeepers have had something of a disastrous campaign in the Premier League.

Either way, it seems in Sweden the belief is that Johansson won’t be staying with Rotherham and at the moment Leeds are at the forefront of the runners but Stoke and Sheffield United are teams to also keep an eye on.