Report: Leeds and Nottingham Forest want 42-cap Championship midfielder

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London Football News have claimed that Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are going head to head for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo this summer.

Luongo, 26, has become established as one of the Championship’s best midfielders, starring for QPR since joining the club four years ago from Swindon Town for a fee believed to be in the region of £3.5million.

The 42-time Australia international has since clocked up 152 appearances for QPR, though he enjoyed one of his better seasons last time out despite the London club perilously sitting above the relegation zone in 19th place.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star missed just five league games, scoring three goals and laying on four assists. Of the five games he missed, QPR picked up just two points from a possible 15.

With just 12 months on his contract, though, QPR may be forced to sell the holding midfielder and that has seemingly alerted Leeds and Forest, with both sides likely to be keen on building a side capable of promotion.

TBR’s view – Luongo is strong Leeds cover for Phillips

Leeds do have options in the middle of the park, in the form of Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw, Kalvin Phillips, Jamie Shackleton and more. But no one can do a job as Phillips does at the base of the midfield.

Indeed, the Thorp Arch academy product has gained Premier League attention for his work as a midfield anchor. Forshaw has been used as back-up, but struggled.

Leeds need cover for Phillips, and Luongo – who can also play in a more advanced role – could be an excellent option for the Whites.