Price tag set: Should Leeds United spend £5m on this complete midfielder?

It would be unfair to undermine the work that Garry Monk did at Elland Road last season. The Whites did the right things to make their fans dream of a promotion to the English top flight for a major chunk of the 2016-17 season of Sky Bet Championship. But their dramatic collapse right at the business end of the campaign hindered their prospects and as a result, another season in the second division awaits.

Monk’s exit from the Elland Road after a season in charge of the West Yorkshire based club has seen Thomas Christiansen being appointed as his successor, who would be looking to ensure that he makes the best use of the pedestal which was created by Monk. To do the same, he would need to get some quality names under his ranks during the summer transfer window and if the latest reports are to be believed, Christiansen is attempting to lure Norwich City’s star Jonny Howson to Elland Road.

Norwich City are in the transition phase under new sporting director Stuart Webber, as the Canaries are planning to revamp their squad in order to ensure that they impose a galvanising challenge for promotion spots in the Championship next term.

They are looking forward to making the necessary ramifications to inject more quality to their arsenal and in light of the recent interest in Jonny Howson from the Peacocks, they have slapped a price tag of £5million. So, would it make sense if Leeds United splash such a hefty amount on Howson?

The 29-year-old is a player of fine calibre and over the course of his career, he has tasted top flight English football and has the requisite knowledge and technical edge of the game. He emerged through the youth ranks at Leeds United, and was then acquired by Norwich City in 2012 after he excelled for the senior side of Leeds United.

He is versatile, and despite being a central midfielder predominantly, Howson can be used on the right side of the midfield and given that he is at the peak of his career, he could be an investment worth taking.

Last season, the Englishman registered 38 appearances to his name, during which he plundered 6 goals and 7 assists. From his stats, it isn’t hard to deduce that his finishing is quite clinical, he has the perennial knack to orchestrate the game from the centre of the park, holds the ball really well and is a calm and composed figure who hardly puts a foot in the wrong direction.

Howson still has a couple of years of his contract confining him to the Carrow Road and frankly speaking, he could prove to be a vital cog for a team like Leeds United who are looking to beef up the quality of their squad.

Statistics Credits: Whoscored